The Relationship Between Emotion and Cognition with Moral Self-regulation

Abstract

Background: Morality has perpetually remained a prominent subject of societal concern and scholarly investigation. Moral self-regulation occurs when individuals exhibit moral conduct while simultaneously maintaining equilibrium in their psychological states. While some studies have established a correlation between moral self-regulation and emotion as well as cognition, there remains a research gap in understanding the impact of these factors on moral self-regulation. Therefore, this paper provides a unified explanation of the relationship between emotion and cognition with moral self-regulation by reviewing and collating existing research. Result: Research has revealed that both emotions and cognitions exert an influence on moral self-regulation. Both positive and negative emotions can have a beneficial impact on moral self-regulation, with negative emotions possessing the potential to yield adverse effects. Individuals cognition of themselves and others both contribute to the occurrence of moral self-regulation. The integration of emotions and cognitions facilitates the generation of appropriate moral behavior. Conclusion: Emotions and cognitions are pivotal determinants that influence moral self-regulation. Subsequent investigations should explore the role of additional factors, such as gender, in this process.