morált

Morál, in Hungarian usage, refers to the morale or spirit of a person or group, including motivation, cohesion, and willingness to persevere under difficulties. In some contexts the term overlaps with ethics or morality, but in everyday use morál more often designates psychological and social mood and motivation rather than normative standards.

Etymologically, morál is borrowed from French moral and has been integrated into Hungarian with a focus on collective mood and drive, though it can be used in personal or organizational contexts. The concept is commonly distinguished from erkölcs (morality/ethics) by emphasizing the emotional and motivational state of a group rather than prescribed norms of right and wrong.

Morál appears in several domains. Munkamorál refers to the work-related morale of employees—their enthusiasm, commitment, and persistence. Közmorál denotes public or societal morale, which can influence social trust and political stability. Katonai morál covers the esprit de corps, discipline, and cohesion of armed forces. Across these domains, morál interacts with organizational culture, leadership, and social environment.

Determinants of morál include leadership quality, clear communication, fair treatment, recognition, working conditions, job design, and social support. High morál is associated with better performance, lower turnover, and more effective crisis response, while low morál can lead to reduced productivity and increased conflict. Measurement typically relies on employee surveys, interviews, and indirect indicators such as absenteeism and turnover, though mood fluctuations and external factors can complicate interpretation.

See also: erkölcs, etika, motiváció, szervezeti kultúra.