Modes of moral judgment among early adolescents.
Early adolescence is an important definitional stage during which a value system and behavior code are largely shaped (Levy, 1988). Since one's value system and behavior code govern moral reasoning and resultant behavior, how early adolescents reason about moral/value issues has implications for schools, parents, and society as a whole. This study found that early adolescents use a variety of modes to make moral decisions. These include care--where they wish others not to suffer; justice--where decisions are made according to principles (golden rule), and narrowly concerned or selfish. All three modes were used by males and females; however, males were much more likely to choose the narrowly concerned mode than were females.
D000293:Adolescent; D000533:Altruism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007600:Judgment; D008297:Male; D009014:Morals; D000297:Psychology, Adolescent; D012737:Sex Factors; D012935:Social Justice; D012941:Social Responsibility; D012945:Social Values