Psychological Development and Education ›› 2025, Vol. 41 ›› Issue (4): 491-499.doi: 10.16187/j.cnki.issn1001-4918.2025.04.05

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The Influence of Basic Emotions and Moral Emotions on Moral Judgment across Different Age Groups

FENG Na1,2, LIANG Feng1, WANG Fen3, HE Chunli4, ZHANG Hui1   

  1. 1. College of Child Development and Education, Zhejiang Normal University, Hangzhou 310012;
    2. Yancheng Zhichuang Junior High School, Yancheng 224000;
    3. Hangzhou Dongcheng Kindergarten, Hangzhou 310000;
    4. Xinchang Kindergarten, Xinchang 312500
  • Published:2025-07-12

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Abstract: Moral judgment refers to evaluating moral behaviors based on one’s principles. This study explored the impact of basic and moral emotions on moral judgment across different age groups through two experiments. Results: (1) Emotion impacts children's moral judgment differently based on emotion type; moral emotions affect their evaluation of behavior, with proud promoting prosocial tendencies and leniency towards antisocial behavior, while shame leads to harsher attitudes towards antisocial behavior; (2) Emotion also influences adults' moral judgment, but primarily in evaluating prosocial behavior; positive emotions like happiness and pride lead to rational rewards for prosocial actions, whereas negative emotions such as sadness and shame increase appreciation for prosocial behavior. This study sheds light on the impact of various emotional contents on the moral cognition of both young children and adults, offering scientific evidence for effective moral education.

Key words: moral judgment, children, adults, basic emotion, moral emotion

CLC Number: 

  • B844
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