THE MORAL VALUE AND SELF-REGULATION OF RELATIONAL GOALS

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to examine a new theoretical phenomenon that we call "moral potency," its connection to relational roles and relational goals, and the subsequent effect on self-regulation in relationships. Moral potency is defined as the product of the centrality of a goal to fulfilling the associated role and the moral value of the role. We propose that relational goals will have a higher degree of moral potency than non-relational goals, and that this increased moral potency will lead to greater self-regulatory success. Results showed that relational goals did have a higher degree of moral potency and show greater self-regulatory success, but this success is not a result of moral potency. Implications for future research within the identity, relationship, and moral literature are discussed.