Provides evidence on the adaptive significance of peer interaction in child development, described as underutilized in formal education today. Peer role in sexual socialization and moral and social development, peer modeling, reinforcement and tutoring are discussed. Studies described involved preschoolers and children in grades 1-3. (BF)

The author argues that moral behavior can be developed by instructional strategies that are primarily cognitive in nature. These strategies include the teacher telling, explaining, or arguing; and students being encouraged to identify, discuss, and analyze ethical issues. (Author/RM)

The author argues that moral behavior cannot be developed by instructional strategies that are primarily cognitive in nature. Encouraging students to (1) analyze and clarify their own values and behavior and those of others and (2) evaluate different values and/or solutions to moral problems will not make anyone more moral. (Author/RM)

The Association for Values Education and Research (AVER) is an interdisciplinary group of researchers located at the University of British Columbia. Focuses on the competencies necessary for a morally educated person and the teaching/learning units that have been developed in order to expose students to values issues. (Editor/RK)

Schools should continue to teach values now that traditional institutions (church, family) have less impact on children. Although some new techniques have concerned parents, it is the school's responsibility to teach the secular value system which is an outgrowth of the religious values of our nation's founders. (AV)

If higher education is to contribute to society's betterment, it must aim to produce people of character. This requires basic principles of liberal arts education including time, an appropriate setting, opportunity for observation, and conversation. Religious faith also makes a contribution. Although many colleges and universities attempt to…

Socrates' defense of his life and work as told in Plato's "Apology" is an ideal work for moving young people to consider their moral responsibilities to themselves and others. Read as a biography, this classic text is timely in that it invites reflection on character formation and personal development. (Author/SLD)

The principles that underlie the education in music and painting described in Plato's "Republic" constitute a theory of the role of the arts in moral education that can be applied in other contexts, including contemporary education. Also explored is Plato's view of the influence of poetry on those not educated in Socrates' system. (SLD)

Investigates the influence of children's affective dispositions and knowledge of emotions on their ability to use nonaggressive conflict resolution strategies, exploring connections between autonomy and socioemotional development. Finds that individual differences in affective dispositions and emotional knowledge influence children's abilities to…

Notes that inclusive education is central to contemporary discourse on special needs education. Examines difficulties in allowing the concept to be a key organizing principle for educational provision. Argues that setting aside preoccupation with inclusion would result in a clearer focus on core educational values and student learning and…

Examines the moral atmosphere of athletic teams to athletes' self-described likelihood to be aggressive (SLA). Reports athletes indicated they would be more aggressive if they thought their coach supported such behavior. Argues the findings show that the influence of others can shape the moral atmosphere operating on youth sports teams. (CAJ)

Discusses three core moral judgement ideas: (1) modern schema theory, (2) automatic decision-making frequency, and (3) implicit processes as the default mode of human information processing. Compares the Defining Issues Test (measures the beginnings of moral judgement) and the Lawrence Kohlberg Moral Judgement Interview (measures the highest level…

Draws on evidence from Alverno College's (Milwaukee, Wisconsin) longitudinal research to make the case that the Defining Issues Test (DIT) is best characterized as measuring growth in moral reasoning rather than a broader construct of moral development. Challenges current DIT theory, but is consistent with prevailing interpretations of growth on…

Examines the strategy of using moral dilemmas and role-play to increase empathy in the elementary classroom. Addresses specific aspects of: (1) formal and informal observations; (2) informal interviews; (3) appropriate stories; (4) presentation methods; (5) large and small group discussions; and (6) closing techniques such as creative writing…

This study documented one child's development of conflict resolution skills when a peer problem-solving model was used in a constructivist-designed classroom. Findings revealed that this child progressed from a power assertion style of conflict resolution to a more sophisticated form of negotiation. The study supports current thinking that young…