The problem of motivation is one of the most important in determining the driving mechanisms that force a person to learn, work, master something new. Motivation to work is one of the key elements of challenging yourself on the way to self-development. Motivation has deep psychological and moral roots and is a complex multifaceted phenomenon that…

There has been a resurgence of concern for character education in schools because of the breakdown of the family and growing negative influences such as the mass media. Discusses how character education can be taught, who will teach it, the role of outdoor educators and the use of animals in teaching it, and accommodating differing cultural…

The purpose of the study was to advance our understanding of the developmental precursors of Moral Disengagement (MD) and the role of MD in the development of antisocial behavior from early risk among an ethnically diverse sample of 187 low-income boys followed prospectively from ages 1.5 to 17. Results indicated associations between early…

A conference on research relating to how children acquire their systems of values and morality was held with the overall objective toward improving the quality of human life through greater scientific understanding of the developmental processes and the support of research on these complex problems. Participants stressed that many child-rearing…

Examines changes in global culture and values and their impact on families. Identifies five conundrums for families attempting intentional socialization of their children for new global values: (1) stability versus change; (2) universal versus particular family model; (3) intentional versus laissez-faire socialization; (4) safety versus danger;…

This paper examines Aristotle's view of the family as providing indispensible motivations for the moral education of the young, the inadequacy of the family in providing moral education, and the need for laws to protect the community and to educate the community regarding public affairs. (MT)

We can identify black culture in terms of certain institutions and values which they share as members of an ethnic group, while recognizing that individual families and communities identify in important respects with other groups. The ascription of a humanistic character--defined as those values and institutions which black Americans have in…

Explored Rokeach's theory that dogmatism develops within the family. Subjects were college students and their parents who took the 40-item Dogmatism Scale. Results indicated that family experiences are one source of children's dogmatism but not the only source. (SDH)

Surveyed 1,913 students on extent and type of influence they thought desirable in developing moral judgment in elementary, secondary, and college students. Average response across subjects, year of administration, and age of individuals for whom item was being tapped was highest for influence of individual him/herself and relatively high for three…

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…

Examined whether a relationship exists between family adaptability and cohesion and principled moral reasoning. The moral reasoning level of 131 adolescents was measured using the Defining Issues Test, and levels of perceived family adaptability and cohesion were measured using Family and Adaptability and Cohesion Scales. No significant…

This article describes that part of the research related to the formation of moral values in a multi-racial group of students. (Author)

The contemporary influence on the study of child morality has come from the cognitive-stage theories of Jean Piaget, who skewed the focus on interpersonal communication away from the family to the peer play domain. Aside from this approach, there are two other psychological approaches to moral development: psychoanalytic theory and social learning…

Investigates the relationship between family socialization processes, focusing on adaptability, cohesion, and parent-child communication, and adolescent moral thought. Used a sample of 271 Australian adolescents and their parents. Presents the findings. The results suggest that there is a relationship between family-socialization processes and…