Kohlberg's theory of moral development explains some of the moral confusion emerging from the diverse, yet justifiable, reasoning in our complex society. This interview attempts to clarify Kohlberg's moral theory and relate its meaning to educational practice. (Editor/RK)

Criticizes R. M. Hare's theory of moral thinking. Hare identifies two levels of moral thinking: critical and intuitive thinking. The author argues that Hare's theory suggests a double standard and makes moral conflicts appear trivial. (AM)

Discusses Lawrence Kohlberg's stages of moral development and suggests procedures both for analyzing moral issues in a story and for discussing these issues with children. (DD)

This paper indicates how, in the two areas of (1) habit and reason and (2) affective and cognitive, Kohlberg's theory of cognitive moral development may be expanded to include the conceptualizations necessary for any visable moral developmental theory. (MM)

Investigates the influence of Victim Awareness Program attendance on the sociomoral reasoning maturity of juvenile delinquents (N=23). Following the program, the treatment group recorded a significant increase in its mean Sociomoral Reflection Maturity score, suggesting that such programs can decrease recidivism. Delinquents (N=15) not exposed to…

Presents three case studies illustrating moral dilemmas for teacher educators. Describes a process and framework for deliberating about such dilemmas. (SK)

This study compared themes of moral dilemmas constructed by 12- and 13-year-olds from a Finnish public school and a special school for academically gifted students. Participating were 87 sixth graders, representing the general population of adolescents, and 27 gifted adolescents. Students were given 30 minutes to write a story representing a…

A nonindoctrinating, sound theoretical and practical base upon which to develop the teaching of moral education relies on several principles: discussion of moral conflict situations; knowledge of the student's stage of moral development; guidance of developmental matches; encouragement of role taking; and focus on rational thinking. (JMF)

In this study of the relationship between moral behavior, level of moral development, and motivation, moral behavior was assessed in an experimental situation in which it was necessary to violate the experimenter's authority to help someone; level of moral development was assessed by Kohlberg's Moral Judgment Scale, and motivation by a…

Ethical instruction in U.S. schools has had a circuitous history, but it may be having a resurgence. Various trends and surveys are reported for both America and the U.S.S.R. If moral education and ethics courses have healing power, then they should be supported and nurtured. (MLW)

Discusses ways to develop a program of valuing and moral development for elementary students. (GB)

Argues that Kohlberg's theory of moral development and his methods of moral education have special relevance to residential treatment because they (1) provide a framework for understanding the moral decision-making process at various levels of development, and (2) encourage child care professionals of any theoretical or clinical persuasion to…

Suggestions for writing moral dilemmas for elementary school history students include presenting an analogy of the subject matter, having a central character, creating a clash of basic principles, and constructing a dilemma students can relate to in their own lives. A sample dilemma is provided. (KC)

Criticizes the tendency in moral education to teach students that one moral opinion is just as valid as any other. The approach is a misleading way of expressing a correct philosophical conclusion about the heterogeneity of morals. The paradox is that the person who thinks all moral views to be morally equal would have no moral views. (Author/KC)

Presents a synopsis of moral development stages and the rationale for considering the significance of moral stages in group member selection. Moral growth should be facilitated during the productive phase of group process in which members deal with their differences, rather than ignore them. (Author/BEF)