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How do you know what is right or wrong, and where did this ability come from? The answer lies in the human conscience. This moral compass acts as an internal guide, helping you decide what is right or wrong.

Although all humans are 99.9% genetically identical, our consciences are very different. This is due to several factors that influence the development of human conscience. They include family background, personal experiences, culture, and mass media.

Today is the International Day of Conscience; let’s see what forms the conscience.

What is the Purpose of a Conscience?

We need a conscience for self-reflection and a sense of morality. It’s what we rely on to distinguish good from evil, and it may discourage actions that can harm others.

Conscience makes you have the feeling of guilt and remorse. As a result, it enables you to reflect on choices, weigh moral issues, and make decisions.

Factors that Influence the Development of Human Conscience

The elements that affect the growth of conscience are a complex interaction of several factors.

Family

The family usually lays the foundation for the development of conscience. That’s because the household is the first community every child knows.

Conscience-building begins in early childhood and is molded by family interactions. This makes children see family traditions and rituals as the norm, which are passed down through generations.

These values and beliefs shape their conscience and impact their behavior and decision-making.

In addition, parenting style and family dynamics also play an important role in moral development. 

Education

Places of learning can influence the formation of their students’ consciences. They can impart values and empathy. Schools can promote good conduct by teaching moral values such as honesty, respect, and responsibility.

Moreso, they enable students to analyze information, which increases their critical thinking skills. This helps them understand between right and wrong and boosts their ability to make informed decisions.

Similarly, education exposes students to diverse perspectives and encourages respect for differences.

However, conscience is a personal work that education can’t dictate but can be a tool for its expansion.

Media

The media plays an obvious but often subtle role in shaping people’s perceptions. They use characters and role models to illustrate standards through movies, TV shows, and music.

By portraying specific behaviors and consequences, media influence the moral judgment of viewers.

Also, how they frame news, events, and advertising and their choice of words shape public opinions.

In addition, media often create social norms through repeated exposure to certain habits. Following this, they can make those habits desirable or acceptable.

Consequently, media content has a long-term impact on conscience development.

Religion

Since ancient times, faith has been a source of moral guidance, shaping values and beliefs. The reason for this is that many religions emphasize the belief in a higher authority.

They provide explicit teachings and laws from sacred texts that outline what is considered wrong or right. These teachings serve as a moral compass for devotees and guide their consciences.

Religious figures can likewise impact the conscience of their followers and their decision-making.

Nonetheless, how religion shapes conscience varies due to diverse beliefs and interpretations.

Culture

Norms and customs have a significant impact on how the conscience is developed. It’s expected because every culture has its perception of moral virtues and vices.

Culture outlines behaviors, actions, and attitudes that are acceptable and unacceptable. These behaviors are learned through interactions with family, peers, and society. 

Culture influences common expectations, and people conform to maintain social bonds and acceptance. This alignment shapes how they navigate ethical dilemmas and develop a moral benchmark. 

For instance, if honesty is a part of your culture, it influences how you judge yourself and others.

Also Read: 9 Means to Achieve World Peace Amid Diversity

Personal Experiences and Trauma

Your life journey and ordeal can have a long-term impact on how your conscience develops.

Positive experiences can lead to an increase in compassion, while bad history can result in moral injury and distrust. Likewise, trauma may give rise to a stronger sense of justice and fairness.

Consequently, past experiences can result in a unique perception of right and wrong.

Globalization

Enhanced travel and increased communication have exposed people to many cultures and perspectives. They broaden one’s understanding of the world and can influence human principles.

Furthermore, this increase in connectivity has improved knowledge sharing and cultural exchange. And so, globalization is bringing about more awareness about global issues and persuading norms to change.

It can also lead to a reevaluation of what is considered right or wrong. This has led to global civil movements about social injustices and environmental concerns.

Keep Building Your Inner Voice

Although upbringing plays a vital role in the development of human conscience, it is still a lifelong process.

Due to diversity, there’s no uniformity of conscience. Consequently, what one deems good might be considered bad by another.

Despite this, we must aim to understand each other’s views while respecting the law.