The self-importance of moral identity

Recent theorizing. in moral psychology extends rationalist models by calling attention to social and, cultural influences (J. Haidt, 2001). Six studies using; adolescents, university students, and adults measured the associations among the self-importance, of moral identity; moral cognitions, and behavior. The psychometric properties of the measure were assessed through an examination of the underlying, factor structure (Study 1) and convergent, nomological, and discriminant validity analyses (Studies 2 and 3). The predictive validity of the instrument was assessed,by examinations of the relationships among the self-importance of moral identity, various psychological outcomes; and behavior (Studies 4, 5, and 6). The results are discussed in terms of models of moral behavior; social identity measurement, and the need to. consider moral self-conceptions in explaining moral conduct.