ERIC Number: ED407296
Record Type: RIE
Publication Date: 1996
Pages: 12
Abstractor: N/A
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
An Examination of Moral Development in Specific Subpopulations.
McCarthy, Maureen A.; Horn, Elaine M.
This paper reports on a study to investigate measurement of moral reasoning with respect to age. Additional potential influencing factors, including ethnicity, gender, and influence of early environmental factors, also have been included for analysis in this study. Twenty-seven nontraditional students participating in a new student orientation program formed the sample for the study. The measurement of moral judgment is based upon reasons that individuals offer for decisions related to fair behaviors. Comparison of results from this study to the normative sample suggest that the experience gained in a postsecondary environment significantly impacts the overall level of moral development. In this study, global mean scores did not significantly differ with respect to gender. Preliminary results suggest that living in a rural environment may impede the progress of moral reasoning. Further research is suggested among this emerging majority of students who could provide valuable support for improvement of a more integrated educational curriculum emphasizing tolerance and respect for individuals within an increasingly global society. Contains 18 references. (EH)
Publication Type: Reports - Research; Speeches/Meeting Papers
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A
Note: Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Educational Research Association (New York, NY, April 8-12, 1996).