This study was designed to determine why children at the transitional stage of operational development base their moral judgments on the objective consequences of another's act rather than on the other's intentions. The results confirmed the existence of a production deficiency as opposed to a mediational deficiency. (JMB)

Four studies examined the cognitive bases of children's judgments of morality. Over 240 children from preschool to fourth grade were participants. Moral dilemmas consisting of information about a character's motives and the consequences of his actions were devised in such a way that the order, concreteness and imageability of information were…

Third- and sixth-grade children rated nine single stories which combined three levels of intentions and consequences and which varied by order in which intention and consequence information was presented. Subjects also made choices for three story pairs which varied in terms of the order of presentation of intention and consequence information.…

This paper discusses developmental theories of morality exemplified by the writings of Piaget and Kohlberg which emphasize cognitive processes in moral judgment. Aspects of Piaget's and Kohlberg's theories are summarized, with particular attention to the stage concept and the role of intention in moral judgment. Relevant criticisms of the…

This study tested the hypothesis that objective and subjective responsibility responses in moral judgment may be formally equal forms of cognitive organization. Results showed that subjects acting as offenders gave subjective responsibility responses; the same subjects acting as offended gave objective responsibility responses. Thus, subjects'…

This paper includes a development of rational thought processes through scientific experiments concerning the effects of foreign chemicals on biological processes. However, the main emphasis is placed on the moral development of children at this age level. (Author)

Assesses children's ability to coordinate information in the context of perspective taking and moral judgment tasks and tests the assumption that both perspective taking and moral judgment involve a common decentering process. Subjects were first and third graders. (MP)

The study examined (1) whether 60 elementary school teachers could score moral thought statements into Kohlberg's moral stages by receiving special training and using a rater manual, and (2) what factors were related to their stage-scoring ability. Major conclusion was that the rater manual and training were ineffective. (Author/ND)

A social cognitive developmental model is presented integrating a Piagetian developmental model and Flavell's processing model, to describe three aspects of development. The utility of the model was tested in two studies. The results demonstrate that it is possible to increase children's social cognitive abilities instructionally. (Author/CTM)

Designed for the growing field of philosophy and children, this sourcebook is concerned with motivating children to think in ways that will increase the meaningfulness of their lives and, as a consequence, help them see the importance of their own education. The approach entails a reappraisal of the entirety of philosophical literature in search…

Discusses ways that language shapes moral experience. Suggests that words provide the tools necessary for thinking, feeling, and acting and so are essential to psychological functioning. States that understanding how language mediates the functioning of the psyche is prerequisite to understanding how narrative expresses moral experience and…

Maintains that children's ability to understand and use narrative precedes their ability to understand and use other genres. Asserts that the link between history and narrative is overlooked in discussions about children's historical understanding. Argues that children should use narrative. (CFR)

This handbook for educators and parents discusses the need to include philosophy in the elementary classroom. The authors point out that as a question-raising discipline, philosophy is appropriate to guide children's natural inquisitiveness through the educational process. It encourages intellectual resourcefulness and flexibility which can enable…