The utility of Kohlberg's theory of moral development among adult probationers in a restitution field setting.
Probationers ordered to pay restitution were classified by Kohlberg's Stages of Moral Development in order to (a) identify background correlates of moral development; (b) explore the relation between moral development and restitution compliance; and (c) differentially identify facilitating circumstances of restitution. The research was conducted in Albuquerque, New Mexico, from 1978 to 1980. Sixty-three probationers were interviewed and classified by moral development, I-level, and by ratings on relevant personality dimensions. Six-month follow-up data were collected from probation records. The results revealed significant relationships (p less than .05) between moral development and ethnicity, education, occupation, income, prior fines, weapons possession, knowing the victim, I-level, responsibility, and empathy. In addition, high-maturity offenders were more likely to reimburse their victims than were low-maturity offenders. Finally, multivariate analysis revealed numerous circumstances of restitution that differentially impacted upon offenders' compliance with the terms of restitution.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D006801:Humans; D007604:Juvenile Delinquency / Q000523:psychology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009014:Morals; D010553:Personality Development; D011329:Prisoners / Q000523:psychology*; D012917:Social Adjustment