This study investigates the life purposes and values of higher education students in the Netherlands and Finland (n[subscript Dutch] = 663, n[subscript Fin] = 846). The theoretical framework is built on the conceptualisation of life purpose by Damon et al. as well as Schwartz's values model. The study adopted a convergent mixed methods design…

The cardinal virtues (prudence, justice, fortitude, and temperance) have relevance within the areas of character education and integral or comprehensive formation. In recent years, there has been growing interest and a great deal of literature produced on character education and its measurement. In this paper, we propose a questionnaire (a…

Existing literature on teaching sociology depicts a 'liberalising effect' of sociological ideas on student values. Furthermore, research on teaching sociology in conservative contexts is largely contained to North America and, as such, is silent on the impact of diffused religion, or what we term display-aversive spirituality, in the faith-based…

Inspection criteria for schools with a religious character in England and Wales require the sponsoring body to arrange assessment on aspects of the distinctiveness of the school ethos. The Student Voice Project was designed to include year-five and year-six students in this process. Within the Diocese of Llandaff, the Diocesan Director of…

In light of cultural and demographic changes in the Republic of Ireland, there is an important and urgent need for research on the articulation of values education in Irish publicly-managed schools. This article reports the findings from a research project on the moral, religious and spiritual values and traditions of staff and students in…

This study examines pre-service teachers' construction of ethical roles in teaching practice in China. This study finds that three major changes emerged in pre-service teachers' understanding of teacher ethics after teaching practice: viewing caring as an interactive relationship between teachers and students, emphasising teachers' sacrifice, and…

'What is the good life?' Few empirical studies explore how American college students answer this important question. In this grounded theory study, we analysed the responses of 276 American college students in two phases. In the first phase, we examined responses from 109 students at 10 different universities. In the second phase, we added…

Prejudices are innate to the human condition and at the base of most conflicts between social groups. Yet, despite much local and global educational effort to promote equality and peace, expressions of hate and violence are omnipresent across the globe. For gaining more understanding about the complex relationship between values and beliefs that…

Character education through curriculum subjects has taken increasing political importance in England after its inclusion in the school inspection framework. Here we present a pedagogical approach to developing virtue literacy through English Literature. As part of a longitudinal, mixed-methods research project, this article uses empirical evidence…

So far, there is no consensus in psychology research with regard to the relationship between religiosity and prosocial behaviour. However, this relationship is quite important for understanding the dynamics underlying prosociality in adolescence. In the present study, 1,170 Turkish adolescents (aged 12-17) from both religious and general schools…

This study set out to explore the trajectory of personal, moral and spiritual values of students taking Religious Studies at A level in the UK. A sample of 150 students completed a battery of measures at the beginning of their period of A level study and again at the end. The data found no difference over this period of time in personal values…

This article examines moral conflicts identified by students (N = 302) and teachers (N = 20) in the context of Iranian schools. The data were gathered in 2016 from two lower secondary schools in Tehran, one for girls and one for boys. The content analysis of students' essays and teachers' interviews reveal that moral conflicts in Iranian secondary…

The focus of this article is on 9th grade students' (N = 9) perceptions on aspects that make them feel authentic in integrated religious education (RE) lessons among students of various faiths. All of the students had previously studied RE in segregated groups. The data was collected in a collaborative teaching experiment in Finland with student…

The study aimed to explore the value priorities of Greek young adults and their orientation towards individualism and collectivism and to investigate for possible relationships between value types and individualism and collectivism. Greek undergraduate students (n = 484) completed the Social Values Survey, the Auckland's Individualism and…

This article reports on the development of scales for measuring moral values in three domains: anti-social behaviour, sex and relationships, and substance use. Students studying religion at A level in 25 schools were invited to respond to 32 Likert items that referred to a wide range of moral issues and behaviours, employing a 5-point response…