The Moral Compass Scan Prompt Suite Guide
  • The Moral Compass Scan Prompt Suite is a key component of the Moral Engagement Education and Transformation Programme (MEET)
  • This prompt suite enables you to ask AI platforms to analyse whatever information or issue you provide through the lens of Bandura's eight mechanisms of moral disengagement and their corresponding engagement mirrors.
  • The AI becomes your systematic research assistant, applying Bandura's framework with the consistency and rigour he intended.
  • Bandura's mechanisms enable AI to be your thinking partner for moral clarity.
IMPORTANT: This guide walks you through the practical application of Bandura's mechanisms through AI-assisted analysis, as detailed in the Moral Engagement Education and Transformation Programme.
Steve Davies with Claude and Perplexity AI | December 2025
Background & Methodology
Theoretical Foundation
AI analysis and reporting applies Bandura's Mechanisms of Moral Disengagement without formally reframing them. This preserves the analytical power and theoretical integrity of the framework while enabling flexible, AI-driven applications.
We frame moral engagement as an engagement mirror, bridging psychology and artificial intelligence to inform practical reforms.
Ref: Section 2.3 of MEET Program Document
Practical Application
AI is used in conjunction with Bandura's 8 mechanisms to:
  • Analyse and expose language patterns indicating moral disengagement
  • Identify changes needed to adopt language and practices reflecting moral engagement
  • Provide comparative analysis using a 7-point scale
The 7-Point Measurement Scale
Scale Development
A 7-point scale was developed and tested to provide a unified measurement bridge between moral engagement and disengagement.
Scale Balance
Too many points in the scale overly fragmented outputs; too few and outputs were bloated. The 7-point scale hit the sweet spot for user-friendly outputs.
Scale Interpretation
1 = Very morally engaged; 7 = Very morally disengaged
Bandura's Eight Mechanisms
Moral Justification
Mirror: Ethical Grounding
Euphemistic Labelling
Mirror: Truthful Language
Advantageous Comparison
Mirror: Absolute Accountability
Displacement of Responsibility
Mirror: Ownership of Actions
Diffusion of Responsibility
Mirror: Personal Agency
Disregard of Consequences
Mirror: Consequential Awareness
Dehumanisation
Mirror: Humanisation
Attribution of Blame
Mirror: Self-Reflection
Real-Time Moral Engagement Scan
Detection
Identify ALL instances of moral engagement and disengagement in the text. Map each to one of Bandura's eight mechanisms using direct quotes and assign an intensity score.
Early Warning Cues
Highlight phrases that signal emerging moral disengagement (even if mild) and explain why they may lead to disengagement if left unaddressed.
Engagement Alternatives
For each detected instance, apply the mirror moral engagement mechanism and rewrite the disengaged quote in a morally engaged form.
Summary & Analysis
Provide a summary table and overall analysis of prevalence and intensity, identifying dominant mechanisms and suggesting priority interventions.
As described in MEET Section 2.3: Moral Compass Scan Methodology
Summary Table Format
The table format provides a clear, structured way to document instances of moral disengagement, their intensity, and morally engaged alternatives.
Strategic Reporting Structure
Green Light (Points 1-3)
Very high to Moderate moral engagement
  • All or most is well
  • Changes can be made as part of regular management
  • Few or no indications of moral disengagement that would impede changes
Amber Alert (Points 4-5)
Moderate to High moral disengagement
  • Moderate to strong indications of moral disengagement
  • Point 4: Possibility of successfully addressing with support
  • Point 5: Strong support and actions needed to reverse disengagement
Red Alert (Points 6-7)
Severe to Extreme moral disengagement
  • Point 6: Severe disengagement with very few indications of engagement
  • Point 7: Extreme disengagement with no indications of engagement
Green Light Assessment
Purpose
Identifies content scoring 1-3 on the scale, indicating very high to moderate moral engagement.
Key Indicators
  • Clear ethical grounding in language and reasoning
  • Transparent, truthful terminology
  • Acknowledgement of personal and collective responsibility
  • Recognition of consequences and impacts
This assessment confirms that regular management processes can effectively address any minor issues identified.
Amber Alert Assessment
Purpose
Identifies content scoring 4-5 on the scale, indicating moderate to high moral disengagement.
Key Indicators
  • Emerging patterns of responsibility diffusion
  • Subtle euphemistic language
  • Partial disregard of consequences
  • Beginning signs of dehumanisation
Point 4 suggests issues can be addressed with appropriate support, while Point 5 indicates stronger interventions are required.
Red Alert Assessment
Purpose
Identifies content scoring 6-7 on the scale, indicating severe to extreme moral disengagement.
Point 6: Severe Disengagement
Very few indications of moral engagement remain. Significant intervention required to address entrenched patterns of moral disengagement.
Point 7: Extreme Disengagement
No indications of moral engagement present. Complete overhaul of language, reasoning, and ethical frameworks needed.
Intervention Approach
Requires immediate, comprehensive action plans with expert guidance to rebuild ethical foundations and moral engagement.
Getting Started
Now that you have read the guide and downloaded the Moral Compass Scan Prompt Suite it's' time to get started. The key steps to follow are:
Step 1: If you have NOT ALREADY downloaded the Moral Compass Scan Suite - Download Now
Step 2: Upload the suite to your preferred AI platform
Step 3: Add the content you want analyzed
Step 4: Review AI output using this guide's framework
Step 5: Read through the report your AI platform has given to you. Talk about it with other people. Share it with others.