Again, high correlations were found for items representing responsibility (controllability, responsibility: r = .69, p < .001) and morality of behavior (positive behavior, right behavior: r = .77, p < .001). Thus, as was the case for attained goals, averaged values representing the respective cognitions are used subsequently. Correlations of all variables are presented in the lower part of Table 5.2.
5.3.2.4.1 Positive moral actor emotions
When goals are not attained, lower extents of responsibility for the non-attainment as well as higher extents of the perceived morality of the behavior increase the likelihood for pride (responsibility: β = -.52, t = -7.31, p < .001, R² = .27; morality of behavior: β = .56, t = 8.11, p < .001, R² = .31). When both variables are entered in a stepwise hierarchical regression, morality of behavior is the strongest predictor (β = .39, t = 3.81, p < .001), followed by responsibility, which explains additional 2 % of variance (β = -.24, t = -2.30, p = .023, R² total=
.33).
As single predictors, both lower responsibility and higher morality of the behavior also predict self-respect (responsibility: β = -.62, t = -9.42, p < .001, R² = .38; morality of behavior: β = .63, t = 9.61, p < .001, R² = .39). Stepwise hierarchical regression revealed that morality of behavior is the strongest predictor of self-respect (β = .37, t = 3.99, p < .001) and that additional 5 % of variance is explained by responsibility (β = -.34, t = -3.68, p < .001, R² total =
.44).
5.3.2.4.2 Negative moral actor emotions
Guilt is also predicted by both higher responsibility and lower morality of the behavior, when they are regarded as single predictors (responsibility: β = .70, t = 11.52, p < .001, R² = .48; morality of behavior: β = -.60, t = -8.90, p < .001, R² = .36). According to the results of the stepwise hierarchical regression, guilt is most strongly dependent on responsibility (β = .56, t = 6.27, p < .001). Morality of behavior explains 1 % of additional variance (β = -.18, t = -2.06,
p = .041).
As single predictors, both higher extents of responsibility and lower extents of the morality of the behavior also predict shame (responsibility: β = .67, t = 10.63, p < .001, R² = .44; morality of behavior: β = -.59, t = -8.64, p < .001, R² = .34). When both cognitions are entered into the regression equation, responsibility is the strongest predictor for shame (β = .51, t = 5.56, p < .001) and additional 2 % of variance are explained by morality of behavior (β = -.21, t = -2.25, p = .026, R²total = .46).
likelihood for regret (responsibility: β = .68, t = 11.03, p < .001, R² = .46; morality of behavior: β = -.68, t = -10.97, p < .001, R² = .46). Stepwise hierarchical regression emphasizes that responsibility is the strongest predictor for regret (β = .39, t = 4.55, p < .001). Morality of behavior explains additional 6 % of additional variance (β = -.39, t = -4.48, p < .001, R²total =
.52).
Finally, when treated as individual predictors, higher responsibility and lower morality of the behavior also predict embarrassment (responsibility: β = .59, t = 8.56, p < .001, R²= .34; morality of behavior: β = -.52, t = -7.18, p < .001, R² = .26). However, when considered in stepwise hierarchical regression, embarrassment is only predicted by responsibility β = .59, t = 8.56, p < .001, R²total = .34). Morality of behavior (β = -.19, t = -1.83, p = .070) is excluded
from the regression model.
5.3.2.5 Predicting Moral Actor Emotions from Cognitions: Mediation Analyses.
As structurally different results were obtained for attained versus non-attained goals, mediation analyses were conducted separately for attained and non-attained goals.
5.3.2.5.1 Attained goals
As hierarchical regressions revealed that (except for embarrassment given non-attained goals) the influence of responsibility on moral actor emotions partly or completely disappears, when the morality of the behavior is added to the regression model, we tested whether morality of behavior is a mediator between responsibility and positive as well as negative moral actor emotions. As very similar results were obtained for the respective emotions, the values obtained for pride and self-respect were averaged and summarized as ‘positive moral actor emotions’. Furthermore, the values obtained for guilt, shame, regret and embarrassment were averaged and are now summarized as ‘negative moral actor emotions’. For correlations please see Table 5.2.
Results are depicted in the upper parts of Figure 5.3. As far as positive moral actor emotions are concerned, the path from responsibility to morality of behavior (now regarded as a potential mediator) is significant (path X M in the mediator model). The path from morality of behavior to positive moral actor emotions is significant as well (path M Y in the mediator
model). Furthermore, the direct effect of responsibility on positive moral actor emotions is insignificant (path X Y in the mediator model), whereas the total effect was significant. The indirect effect is significant (b = .51, SE = .07, CI: [0.39, 0.66]). Thus, relationships can be described as follows: Judgments of higher responsibility for the attainment of the goal facilitate judgments of higher perceived morality of the behavior, which subsequently increase the likelihood for pride and self-respect. Judgments of morality completely mediate the relationship between responsibility and positive moral actor emotions.
With regard to negative moral actor emotions, again, higher perceived responsibility allows for higher perceived morality of the behavior (path X M). The path from morality of behavior to negative moral actor emotions is also significant (path M Y). Thus, negative moral actor emotions are more likely in case of lower perceived morality of the behavior. Furthermore, the direct effect of responsibility on help-giving is insignificant (path X Y), whereas the total effect was significant. Similar to positive moral actor emotions, the indirect effect is significant (b = -.43, SE = .08, CI: [-0.63, -0.28]). Hence, morality of behavior also completely mediates the relationship between responsibility and negative moral observer emotions 5
5.3.2.5.2 Non-Attained goals
As for guilt, shame, and regret the effect of responsibility on negative moral actor emotions was reduced when both cognitions were included as predictors in the hierarchical regression models, we tested whether morality of behavior is a partial mediator between responsibility and moral actor emotions. With regard to negative moral actor emotions, we now only included guilt, shame and regret, as for embarrassment morality of behavior does not explain any variance when responsibility is also included in the regression model. The respective mediation models are depicted in the lower parts of Figure 5.3 and can be described as follows:
5
To analyze these relationships in more detail, we also conducted separate mediation analyzes for each of the moral actor emotions. Due to space reasons, we do not report these analyses here. Results confirmed the results of the mediation analyses containing averaged values and are available upon request. This applies to the analysis of both attained and non-attained goals.
Figure 5.3 Cognitions Predicting Moral Actor Emotions: Mediation Analyses (Study 1)
Attained Goals
Non-attained Goals
Note. PMAE = positive moral actor emotions: averaged values for pride, self-respect; NMAE = negative moral actor emotions: averaged
values for guilt, shame, regret, (embarrassment: attained goals only); X = independent variable, Y = outcome, M = mediator; numbers re- present standardized regression coefficients (β), *** = p < .001), values for the total effect for relationship X Y are indicated in brackets
.10(.093)(.58***)
.74***
.64***
Responsi-
bility(X) PMAE (Y)
Morality of Behavior (M) -.07.360(-.47***) -.62*** .64*** Responsi-
bility(X) NMAE (Y)
Morality of Behavior (M) -.33***(-.64***) .43*** -.74*** Responsi-
bility(X) PMAE (Y)
Morality of Behavior (M) .53***(.73***) -.28*** -.74*** Responsi-
bility(X) NMAE (Y)
Morality of Behavior (M)
Lower responsibility for the non-attainment of the goal allows for higher perceived morality of the underlying behavior (path X M). Subsequently, higher morality of the behavior increases the likelihood for positive moral actor emotions (path M Y). The direct effect of responsibility on moral actor emotions (path X Y) is smaller than the total effect and the indirect effect is significant (b = -.30, SE = .06, CI: [-0.43, -0.18]). Thus, morality of behavior partially mediates the relationship between responsibility and positive moral actor