What Is Morality And How Can You Develop Your Own Moral Values?

Morality refers to a set of behavioral standards that help people peacefully coexist. It can be thought of as what a given society determines to be "right" and acceptable. Which beliefs and practices are considered moral can vary from one culture, community, or religion to another, and individuals can also have their own nuanced moral codes. Identifying your own set of moral values and guiding principles can help you make decisions and set goals in your life. You can work toward this understanding through a variety of methods, which this article discusses after providing a brief overview of the general concept of morality.

How morality is defined

Per the American Psychological Association, morality in general can be defined as “a system of beliefs or set of values relating to right conduct, against which behavior is judged to be acceptable or unacceptable.” 

How philosophers define morality

Throughout history, philosophers, psychologists, religious figures, and other thinkers have posited theories to try to help us understand and evaluate human nature and ethics. Normative ethics, for example, is a branch of moral psychology that discusses actions in terms of right and wrong. Meanwhile, Taoism is a religion that doesn’t define right and wrong and encourages living in alignment with the universe.

How psychology and society define morality

In society, morality is discussed in terms of moral rules, norms, expectations, and laws. These moral views can change across the world. In the West, for example, it’s respectable to shake hands when meeting someone. However, in the east, bowing to one another is the standard greeting. People may frown upon individuals who do not abide by the social norms of a particular country or region. 

In a descriptive sense, morality can be seen as the way people have evolved on a cognitive and emotional level to live harmoniously in society. Psychology continues to study how people think, feel, and behave in different settings. 

Why is there no single definition

The fact that so many different moral theories have been proposed throughout history hints at a key characteristic of this topic, which is that morality can be highly subjective and is often fiercely debated. Some philosophies discuss morality in terms of right and wrong, while others suggest that morality or acting with care for the world is a consequence of being self-aware and spiritually liberated. 

Moral systems and ethical frameworks

A moral system is a set of beliefs, virtues, and principles that often decides how you interact with the world around you. People have different moral systems, shaped by their culture and their experiences in the world. Someone who values honesty, for example, will be inclined to return a lost wallet to its owner. 

Types of moral systems

• Consequentialism: Whether an action is inherently good or bad depends on the outcome it produces. For example, stealing a loaf of bread to save a starving person may be seen as a good action, even though stealing is often classified as a bad action.
• Deontology: Rooted in moral psychology, this approach discusses actions in terms of good and bad, regardless of the outcome. Being honest may be considered a moral duty, regardless of whether it benefits the other person.  
• Virtue ethics: Explored in Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics, this approach focuses on personal development and strong character traits to live a virtuous life, rather than following strict, ethical guidelines. 

A person's moral system may depend on their lived experience, cultural background, religious beliefs, and upbringing. People may also abide by other moral systems, such as divine command theory. A therapist can help you define what morality means to you.

The psychology and evolution of morality

Morality may be shaped by internal processes and broader external influences. The way you feel in a given scenario, for example, may shape how you respond. Researchers aim to understand how morality has evolved over time, and how it shapes decision-making. 

Moral psychology and decision making

Every day, people tend to make decisions that impact those around them. Judges and juries, for example, have to decide whether a defendant is guilty, remorseful, and accountable, while simultaneously following legal standards. Research suggests that moral decision-making is based on a combination of mental reasoning, emotional perceptions, and intuition, reflecting complex psychological mechanisms that help individuals judge people, regulate behavior, and enforce societal norms. 

Evolutionary perspectives

Some research suggests that morality develops to ensure the survival and progression of living beings. The growth and development of offspring, for example, may depend on the support of helpers, as well as the mother. Evolutionary biologists suggest that moral instincts, such as fairness and compassion, may stem from a human being's evolutionary history. These patterns of behavior may also be seen in other animals, suggesting that moral tendencies may foster group cohesion, resource sharing, and conflict resolution.  

Moral dilemmas and moral issues in everyday life

People may experience moral dilemmas in everyday life, making it difficult to make decisions and toe the line between right and wrong. Some common examples in modern society may include: 

• Contemplating whether to tell someone the truth or protect their feelings
• Using artificial intelligence to improve work, even though it’s prohibited
• Deciding whether to break confidentiality to protect a patient in health care settings
• Weighing decisions that affect human rights, like where to distribute finite resources
• Deliberating whether to throw someone overboard on a crowded, sinking lifeboat to save others  

Oftentimes, moral dilemmas involve making a decision that may be considered immoral, such as hurting someone's feelings or breaking rules, to achieve a better collective outcome. However, such things can still create internal and external conflicts in everyday life. If you need support navigating moral dilemmas, you can speak to a therapist. 

Morality, society, and culture, cultural norms over time

In society, moral opinions and cultural norms may change over time. What was considered the natural order in the twentieth century may be considered outdated today. For example, rates of premarital sex have risen significantly since the twentieth century, due to shifting cultural attitudes.

Morality in groups and societies

Morality may function differently in group settings and across larger societies. For example, moral foundations theory proposes that loyalty (commitment to one's group), authority (respect for rules and hierarchy), and purity (sanctity of morality and tradition), can shape how people behave in group settings and influence group cohesion. 

A recent study on 200 participants also suggests that individuals adjust their private beliefs to fit the collective sentiment in group discussions. This may be due to something known as interbrain synchrony, where the neural activities of two or more individuals align during interactions. 

Famous moral development theories

Various theories attempt to explain how moral development occurs in humans. Familiarizing yourself with some of the most well-known in the recent history of Western psychology can be a helpful first step on the road to understanding the concept of morality in general, as well as your own sense of it. 

Freud's theory of morality

Sigmund Freud, an Austrian neurologist who is widely considered to have been the founder of modern psychoanalysis, believed that how we grow morally is closely tied to the development of our minds. He argued that moral behavior comes from the internal struggle between the id, the ego, and the superego. Theoretically, the id represents our basic instincts and desires, and the ego balances the id with the requirements and limitations of the outside world. Meanwhile, the superego is our moral conscience. As we grow up, he posited, we learn to manage and balance these forces and develop a sense of moral behavior.

B.F. Skinner's behavioral theory

The moral development theory proposed by B.F. Skinner, an American psychologist and philosopher, focuses on how outside factors may be involved in an individual’s moral growth. Skinner suggested that moral behaviors are learned through a process called operant conditioning, in which we’re rewarded for appropriate behavior and punished for immoral behavior. As we go through different situations and experience the results of our actions, we may learn to link certain actions with positive or negative outcomes and change our behavior as a result.

Developing your own moral values

A person’s own sense of morality is typically heavily influenced by the culture in which they were raised. That said, it can be part of becoming an adult to think critically about the value systems that you were taught and decide what you want to preserve and what you want to change.

Cultivate empathy to behave morally

Empathy, which is the ability to understand and feel what others are feeling, is often thought to be a key part of making moral decisions to cultivate empathy, you can spend time around or otherwise learn about people who are different from you, stay open-minded to diverse viewpoints, and look for common ground.

Reflect on personal experiences

One way to more specifically identify your personal set of moral values is to reflect on your own experiences. Journaling can be an especially helpful method for this. It may be helpful to look at how your past actions and choices made you feel, and how they affected others. 

Reflecting on your values and self-interest can help you make decisions in such a way that supports your own sake and the well-being of others. Drawing on life experiences and character education, you may ask yourself:

• What brings me the most happiness, and do my daily actions reflect that?
• Do my choices align with the person I want to be?
• How did my actions today affect the people around me?
• Will this decision still feel right in 10 years?
• Would I advise someone I care about to do the same?

Practice accountability and ethics

Accountability means taking responsibility for your actions. If you’ve reflected on your past behavior and decided that something you said or did doesn’t line up with the person you want to be or what you feel is right, taking action—such as by apologizing, making amends, and committing to different behavior in the future—could help strengthen your moral identity. 

Getting support when moral conflicts feel overwhelming

Therapy can be another valuable resource in the process of exploring your values, managing challenging ethical situations, and engaging in overall personal growth. A therapist might engage in contemplative listening to help their client think through various angles of a moral decision, which can support the client in making positive and informed choices.

When moral stress affects mental health

Understanding morality and how it relates to mental health can help rational people make more informed decisions in daily life, pursuing the greatest happiness possible. Research suggests that violations of moral standards are associated with negative mental health symptoms, such as guilt, shame, and loss of trust in oneself. These symptoms can exacerbate mental health conditions and harm relationships. 

In an essential role, such as health care, you may face difficult decisions every day. Speaking with a therapist may provide clarity, emotional support, and a new perspective, helping you live a good life both inside and outside of work. 

How online therapy can help clarify values

Still, having questions about morality can feel vulnerable. These thoughts and concerns are a common part of the human experience, but that might not make it any easier to talk about them with someone you don’t know. A virtual setting may put you more at ease when discussing such sensitive, personal topics, which is where online therapy can be especially useful. Platforms like BetterHelp allow you to connect with a licensed therapist from home or anywhere else you have an internet connection, which many people find to be more comfortable and convenient than traveling to traditional, in-person sessions. Research suggests that this format can be as effective as in-person counseling for addressing a variety of conditions and concerns.