Moral Identity Fosters Adolescent Prosocial Behavior: The Mediating Role of Moral Elevation

Fostering prosocial behavior in adolescents is essential for fostering social cohesion and individual well-being. Grounded in the theory of moral identity, the present research investigated the effects of two dimensions of moral identity, internalization and symbolization, on prosocial behavior, as well as the mediating role of moral elevation. Across three studies, we employed both correlational and experimental methodologies to establish the relationships among these constructs. Study 1, a cross-sectional survey, demonstrated that both moral identity internalization and symbolization are positively associated with prosocial behavioral tendencies, with moral elevation mediating these associations. Study 2 utilized an experimental causal-chain design to establish causal pathways, showing that moral identity internalization increased prosocial behavior (Study 2a) and moral elevation (Study 2b), while moral elevation, in turn, enhanced prosocial behavior (Study 2c). Study 3 employed an experimental mediation design to further validate the proposed model, confirming that moral identity internalization influenced prosocial behavior through moral elevation. Collectively, these findings provide robust empirical support for the role of moral identity internalization, but not symbolization, in promoting prosocial behavior and establish moral elevation as a key psychological mechanism underlying this effect. These results contribute to the broader literature on moral development and prosocial behavior, with implications for educational interventions aimed at fostering adolescent moral growth.