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<p>Individuals often approach ethical issues from a bystander’s perspective, focusing solely on the event itself while neglecting the underlying psychological processes that drive immoral behaviors. This study examined the relationship between guilt, shame, and moral disengagement, with the aim of providing insights for how these factors may influence immoral behaviors. A sample of 477 Chinese undergraduates completed measures of guilt, shame, and moral disengagement. Results revealed a significant positive correlation between guilt and shame, with guilt negatively predicting moral disengagement. Moreover, guilt exerted a dual effect on moral disengagement: it directly reduced moral disengagement, while indirectly increasing it by positively influencing shame. This competitive mediation effect reflects the bidirectional psychological mechanism through which guilt operates in the process of moral regulation.</p>

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The Role of Guilt and Shame in Moral Disengagement Among Chinese Undergraduates

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年12月1日

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  • Qishan Zheng,
  • Anqi Zhu,
  • Chuanhua Gu,
  • Jianhong Zheng

摘要

Individuals often approach ethical issues from a bystander’s perspective, focusing solely on the event itself while neglecting the underlying psychological processes that drive immoral behaviors. This study examined the relationship between guilt, shame, and moral disengagement, with the aim of providing insights for how these factors may influence immoral behaviors. A sample of 477 Chinese undergraduates completed measures of guilt, shame, and moral disengagement. Results revealed a significant positive correlation between guilt and shame, with guilt negatively predicting moral disengagement. Moreover, guilt exerted a dual effect on moral disengagement: it directly reduced moral disengagement, while indirectly increasing it by positively influencing shame. This competitive mediation effect reflects the bidirectional psychological mechanism through which guilt operates in the process of moral regulation.