Lawrence Kohlberg first published details of his research on the development of moral judgments in "Vita Humana" (later titled "Human Development"). Along with a series of other articles and essays, he greatly influenced research on moral development. He was instrumental in moving the field out of the narrow confines of analyses of psychological…

Argues that Baumrind's (1998) postculturalist stance reflects the direction of developmental psychology research, but her efforts to construct a complementary ethical theory fall short. Argues that her position suffers from internal contradictions and that her project can be salvaged by accommodation with elements of communicative discourse theory…

Compares narrative approaches to Kohlberg's theory of moral development along five dimensions: values relevance, legitimacy, universality, rationality, and commensurability. Argues that, contrary to Kohlberg's theory, narrative approaches may lead to contradiction in epistemology, nihilism in moral choices, and opportunism in relationships.…

Maintains that Jensen highlights the force of an orthodox moral outlook and offers a novel theoretical framework integrating moral judgment with moral behavior through the "worldview" mechanism. Argues that Jensen's identification of an orthodox moral outlook is more successful than the theoretical framework offered and that many…

Argues that contested meanings, multiple judgments, and conflicts are part of cultures and the individual's thoughts and actions. Contends that people make moral judgments that may affirm or contradict cultural norms and practices, and sometimes invoke concepts of welfare, justice, and rights. Notes that some key aspects of Baumrind's neo-Marxist…

Presents a neo-Marxist perspective on morality, showing how it pertains to the use and misuse of the culture construct. Explains the standpoint concept, and identifies issues central to morality. Maintains that moral beliefs are grounded in cultural contexts, arguing that the dominant morality in a culture justifies ruling class interests, and…

Presents recent changes in the theory of moral stages, including a broadening of theoretical and research concerns, differentiation of "hard" and "soft" stages, clarification of the form-content distinction, revision of A and B substages, clarification of stages six and seven, discussion of moral action, and listing of nine…

The cognition/conduct problem is outlined as it arises in cognitive-developmental moral theory. A model of the connection between stage of moral reasoning and behavior is developed, involving two separate steps (from reasoning to judgments and from judgments to behavior).(Author/RH)

Argues that moral reasoning is premised upon more comprehensive worldviews. Suggests that moral behaviors in part serve to maintain these worldviews. Uses interviews with adults whose moral evaluations and reasoning place them on opposite sides of the current American culture war to illustrate the argument that they differ in their moralities…

Raises the question of how applicable Jensen's approach is to other sociomoral contexts. Examines the meaning of worldview and that of morality and how the two intersect. (KB)

Presents a theoretical perspective for the psychological study of moral development which does not rely on the notion that different types of moral view have different logical structures and which provides a framework for specific predictions about moral content and moral reasoning, motivation, and behavior. (Author/RH)

Comments on revision of Piagetian theory of reciprocity in forgiveness by Enright (PS 522 365) in this issue. Reviews relationship of Enright theory to previous research. Suggests that forgiveness may require moral insights in addition to reciprocity, but reciprocity appears central to children's and adults' understanding of forgiveness. Provides…

Proposes a cognitive mechanism that makes forgiveness possible. Revises Piaget's theory that ideal reciprocity is the underlying cognitive operation that makes understanding and appreciation of forgiveness possible. Draws on modern philosophical inquiry, empirical study, and theory to argue instead that abstract identity provides--philosophically…

Underlines two major differences between moral judgments and moral behavior. For behavior, the moral situation is construed from an observer's perspective after the event and typically involves conflicts between moral and other kinds of pressures. For judgment, the situation is interpreted from the self's perspective in advance and often involves…

Comments on the issues introduced by Saltzstein (PS 522 554) in this issue. Elaborates on Saltzstein's proposed social cognitive factors that may account for discrepancies between moral reasoning and action, highlighting strengths and weaknesses. (AA)