Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

Psychology

Program Name/Specialization

Developmental Psychology

Faculty/School

Faculty of Arts

First Advisor

Dr. Tobias Krettenauer

Advisor Role

Supervisor

Abstract

This thesis developed and evaluated the Promotion-Prevention Assessment of Moral Identity (PROM), a measure of moral regulatory orientation distinguishing between promotion orientation (maximizing positive moral outcomes) and prevention orientation (minimizing negative moral outcomes). Across two studies, the psychometric properties and construct validity of the PROM were examined, and age-related differences in promotion orientation were investigated. Study 1 examined 218 university students from Wilfrid Laurier University. The PROM demonstrated good internal consistency and a unidimensional factor structure, supporting the conceptualization of promotion-prevention orientation as a single dimension. Promotion orientation was positively associated with internal moral motivation, abstract moral identity, and optimism. Promotion orientation was also positively associated with guilt and authentic pride and negatively associated with moral disengagement. Study 2 applied a slightly adapted version of the PROM to 194 adolescents to examine its applicability across different age groups. The PROM again demonstrated good psychometric properties. Internal moral motivation significantly predicted promotion orientation, replicating findings of Study 1, whereas abstract moral identity showed a positive association with promotion focus, but did not reach statistical significance. Promotion orientation was not significantly associated with age. Overall, the findings provide initial support for the suitability of the PROM to assess promotion vs. prevention orientation in individuals’ moral identity. Results highlight the need for further research examining developmental differences across the lifespan.

Convocation Year

2027

Convocation Season

Spring

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Available for download on Thursday, September 27, 2029

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