FUTURE RESEARCH DIRECTIONS
In this chapter, we have attempted to provide an overview of some of the major attempts to measure moral
personality. There are several research programs that focus on conceptualizing and measuring individual differ-
ences in moral tendencies. We conclude by noting that there are many fundamental questions concerning moral-
ity that can be answered using an individual differences approach.
For example, more research into moral traits is needed ( Fleeson et al., 2014 ), such as whether these traits are
best conceptualized in terms of Big Five type broad traits or in terms of more narrow, facet-like traits (see Doris,
1998; 2002 , for a philosophical argument against ‘broad’ moral traits). Moreover, innovative models of personality
that emphasize both stability and variability in behavior ( Blackie, Roepke, Forgeard, Jayawickreme, & Fleeson,
2014; Fleeson, 2001; Mischel & Shoda, 1995 ) may afford the possibility to integrate moral traits and features of the
situation to better predict moral behavior (e.g., Miller, 2013 , and Jayawickreme et al., 2013). The extent to which
moral traits can be perceived, and the degree of agreement over the presence of a moral trait is also an important
future research area ( Gosling, John, Craik, & Robins, 1998, and Vazire, 2010 ). Examining social-cognitive mechan-
isms underlying moral traits, how moral traits change over time, and how such change can be positively facili-
tated (e.g. Narvaez & Lapsley, 2009 ) has both important theoretical and practical implications (see Fleeson et al.,
2014).
Interest in measuring moral reasoning and behavior has a long history in personality psychology, with well-
validated measures (SVS), new measures that expand the scope of moral domains being assessed (MFQ) and
measures of moral personality that may benefit from greater psychometric evaluation (VIA). One important
implication of increased interest in the study of values is a broadening of the field of personality beyond the
study of ‘normal’ personality traits. Research into moral personality has the potential to complement other
approaches to studying values, such as situationist, reasoning and intuitionist approaches ( Jayawickreme &
DiStefano, 2012 ). As Hill & Roberts (2010) have noted, a more integrative approach to personality (e.g. Fleeson,
2013) can provide researchers with a strong empirical and research base to answer important questions about the
nature of morality.
Acknowledgment
This publication was made possible through the support of a grant from the John Templeton Foundation. The opinions expressed in this pub-
lication are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the John Templeton Foundation.
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