Family theorists have considered the idea of boundary in terms of the concepts of disengagement and enmeshment. Disengaged families are those having rigid, well-delineated boundaries that are often impermeable. Alternately, enmeshed families have diffuse ego boundaries, acting as if all are part of each other, and are likely to produce an…

Divided into three sections, this paper briefly presents Kohlberg's theory of moral reasoning; surveys some key research relating childrearing practices to adolescents' social competence, including moral reasoning; and reports research findings concerning the value systems adolescents develop. The first section characterizes preconventional,…

This paper discusses developmental theories of morality exemplified by the writings of Piaget and Kohlberg which emphasize cognitive processes in moral judgment. Aspects of Piaget's and Kohlberg's theories are summarized, with particular attention to the stage concept and the role of intention in moral judgment. Relevant criticisms of the…

In response to the previous article, Whitehurst defends his article on imitation; it is different from Beilin's structural terms, and significant because much is known about imitation. Zimmerman challenges Beilin's interpretation of Piaget's structural assumptions. Brody maintains that children's qualitative changes in moral reasoning are best…

Piaget's and Kohlberg's interview and scoring methods for assessing moral judgment in children were empirically compared. Based on cognitive development and social learning theories, six hypotheses were tested on 139 elementary school children. After being interviewed, the children participated in a moral conduct task. Multiple linear regressions…

Beilin examines the previous three papers. In explaining cognitive development, social learning theory fails to account for rule invariance in the face of capricious and informationally impoverished experience, does not explain the acquisition of abstract rule systems, and offers less flexibility than Piaget's explanations based on operations and…

The author clarifies common misunderstanding about the theory that social learning is concerned with shaping of children's moral behavior through differential reinforcement, which portrays children as mere mimics of socialization agents. Social learning is defined in relation to the cognitive developmental approach to moral development and its…

Compares and demonstrates a correspondence between L. Kohlberg's stages of moral development and M. Douglas's grid/group theory. Reinterprets Kohlberg's findings and discusses limitations of both theories. (BJD)

The introductory chapter clarifies key terms and lays the background for different theories of moral development. Chapter 2 surveys competing models from various schools of thought on the initial origins of morality in childhood. The works discussed include those of Freud, Jung and Piaget. Chapter 3 includes: Erik H. Erikson's sociocultural…

Both critical thinking and much of moral education see the function of education as the bringing forth of the rational capacities of the child. Although there are similarities between the interest in critical thinking as the basis for educational reform and the educational concern with the moral development of school children, crucial differences…

Examines the impact of American boarding schools on students' moral development. Discusses the incremental steps that students experience during the process of assimilation at boarding schools, which shapes their character and promotes a world view that is compatible with students' most likely future statuses. (DMM)

This article reviews recent investigations into intentionality (use of motive information) in young children's moral judgments. Intentionality has been shown to vary as a function of the vignette used to measure it. The educational implications of Piagetian theory and cognitive social learning theory for moral development are discussed.…

The literature on the moral judgment and moral development of mentally retarded individuals is reviewed. The relative contribution of mental age, chronological age, cognitive functioning, social experience, and environmental factors to the moral characteristics of this population is discussed. (Author/RM)

This paper was presented at the annual meeting of the American Educational Research Association as part of a symposium, "A social learning alternative to structural theories for explaining developmental changes in childrens behavior." This presentation examines the moral development of a child in terms of a social learning approach, and discusses…

This paper questions the applicability of current moral development theories to the Chicano population. The stage theories of Piaget and Kohlberg that emphasize the "universality" of psychological aspects of moral development may be culturally biased. Research indicates that the rate and terminus of moral development is highly variable…