Explored understanding opposing views and realistic compromise for 12 political and legal situations in 72 adolescents, ages 14 to 19. Demonstrated progression in understanding of the issues. Generally, more significant changes occurred at ages 18 to 19, while responses of middle group (16 to 17) were closer to those of youngest age group (14 to…

This cross-national study of moral reasoning among adolescents in Northern Ireland, Scotland, and the Republic of Ireland addresses the problem of possible moral truncation in Northern Ireland due to political conflict. Analysis of results suggested that despite the violent atmosphere over the last 30 years, the Northern Irish adolescents were not…

The paper discusses literature which reports biological factors of criminal behavior and suggests how such biological characteristics might interact with the learning of moral behavior. The first three studies of predelinquent and prerecidivistic criminals measured autonomic nervous system responses to stress. Those who later became delinquent…

Examines recent studies from several countries that compared adolescent male and female attitudes toward authority. Reports that these studies do not support M. Emler and S. Reicher's (1987) assertion that delinquent behavior results from a failure to inculcate favorable attitudes toward authority through socialization. Finds the relationship…

A careful analysis by Zelnik and Kanter of the Department of Population Dynamics at Johns Hopkins disclosed that abortions, unwed teenage pregnancies, venereal diseases, and sexual promiscuity have all increased dramatically in spite of a massive public and private program of contraceptive indoctrination and dissemination. This increase is…