Influential role of self-regulated learning in preventing moral disengagement

ABSTRACT Along with the increased interest in theory and research concerning moral agency and moral disengagement, there has been heightened attention to the significant role of self-regulated learning in developing self-directed, proactive, and skilled learners. Nevertheless, these 2 psychosocial mechanisms have not been fully integrated to explain learners’ development and academic success. Their integration could explain why some students engage in prosocial behavior, sustain motivation, self-regulate, and avoid transgressing behavior, while others are unwilling to delay gratification, sustain low motivation, disregard self-regulation, and engage in moral disengagement. Understanding research on moral agency, moral disengagement, and the development of self-regulation can discourage transgressive behavior and moral disengagement while fostering prosocial behavior and moral agency among students. This article applies Bandura’s theory on moral agency and moral disengagement to the educational practice of self-regulated learning to enhance teaching practice and academic learning while inhibiting moral disengagement.