ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Social cognitive theory of morality

Social cognitive theory of morality is all about understanding how our behavior is affected by the things around us. It looks at how our thoughts, beliefs, and feelings can affect how we make decisions and behave.

To understand this more, think about a game you play with friends. There are rules to the game and you have to follow them. If you don't, the game won't work properly and the game won't be fun for anyone. This is kind of like the rules of morality in society. We all have rules that we have to follow in order to make sure that everyone can get along and that we don't hurt other people.

With social cognitive theory of morality, we look at how different things like our family, friends, culture, and even our own past experiences can shape how we think about right and wrong. For example, if you grow up in a family that believes it's wrong to steal, then you might think the same way. Or if you witness someone else being punished for stealing, this might influence how you view the act of stealing. It's all about how our experiences shape our beliefs about what is right and what is wrong.