Discusses conception of moral formation. Traces progress to moral maturity through well defined stages of cognitive, conative, and/or affective growth. Explains that logical status of developmental theories are not clear. Argues that the accounts are more evaluative than descriptive. Explores the problematic moral educational implications of this…

Traces the history of Minnesota's approach to moral judgment research. Claims this history can be subdivided into four phases, each with a different goal and theoretical consideration. Concludes the Minnesota approach has been a progressive force in the field. Argues that this approach reaffirms Lawrence Kohlberg's view that moral judgments are…

Provides a critical appraisal of two significant contributions of the Minnesota approach to moral development. Describes one contribution as the componential model that describes the four psychological components underlying moral behavior. Identifies the second contribution as the conceptual and methodological reformulations known as the…

Argues the main deficiency of the Lawrence Kohlberg theory is that it has never lived up to the claim of being a structural developmental theory. Explains that the theory has never shown specific problems at each stage. Ends with a discussion of a new stairway for Kohlbergian theory. (CAJ)

Draws on evidence from Alverno College's (Milwaukee, Wisconsin) longitudinal research to make the case that the Defining Issues Test (DIT) is best characterized as measuring growth in moral reasoning rather than a broader construct of moral development. Challenges current DIT theory, but is consistent with prevailing interpretations of growth on…

Discusses the relationship between Lawrence Kohlberg's cognitive-stage theory as a further development of Piaget's moral theory. Argues Kohlberg describes moral thought and not the formation of the independent moral function. Finds Kohlberg's major interest is in the characteristics of stages of individual moral reasoning and the principle of…

Compares the operational and sociomoral reasoning maturity of 70 deaf children with that of a sensory unimpaired control sample. Tests subjects individually on three Piagetian tasks, story pairs, and the concept of justice. Finds slower development of operational reasoning in the deaf children but comparable development in sociomoral reasoning.…

Reviews theories which link college attendance and moral judgment. Evaluation is made on basis of longitudinal, experimental, correlational, educational, and life experience studies. The theories of generalized understanding, intellectual stimulation, and generalized learning are found to be more plausible than simple age/maturation,…

Questions Lawrence Kohlberg's complexity hypothesis that individuals exhibit higher stages of moral judgement in complex socio-political surroundings. Tests the moral judgements of adolescent students from The Netherlands and the former German Democratic Republic. Results of the tests failed to support Kohlberg's hypothesis. (MJP)