The Mechanism Of Virtual Guilt And Its Function In Moral Education

This paper, which is based on the implication, type and development of virtual guilt, summarizes the Virtual Guilt theory, discusses the factors, mechanism and functions through theoretical and empirical studies. Questionnaires are used in the research. It shows that relation, consequence and empathy are the very important factors that influence the generation of virtual guilt. The main attribution in virtual guilt is the attribution of responsibility on the person itself. When the degree of the virtual guilt is going down, the part of attribution of responsibility will be passed to others. Relation, consequence and empathy also influence the attributions. The behavior disposition of restitution is gradational. Comfort restitution is very frequent, while material restitution is rather low. Virtual guilt is positive correlated to all behavior dispositions. And relation, consequence and empathy influence the behavior dispositions too. Therefore, the factors influencing virtual guilt are experiences, empathy, moral cognition, relation and result. There are three steps in generation of virtual guilt, from experiences to empathy sadness, then to the attribution of responsibility on the person itself, and last to virtual guilt. The functions of virtual guilt are improving the development of moral self, accelerating moral internalization, realizing moral behaviors. Thus, it is also a valid method to induce the virtual guilt of students in moral education.