Moral and conventional violations are usually judged differently: Only moral violations are treated as independent of social rules. To investigate the cognitive processing involved in the development of this distinction, undergraduates (N = 34), adolescents (N = 34), and children (N = 14) read scenarios presented on a computer that had 1 of 3…

Describes development of theories of moral education, including those of William McGuffy, John Dewey, Jean Piaget, and Lawrence Kohlberg. Illustrates relationship of Kohlberg's stages of moral maturity to Piaget's stages of cognitive development. Notes criticisms of Kohlberg's theory, and describes alternatives including behavior modification and…

The purpose of this report is to provide a brief background on the current status on values teaching, to describe the two values education approaches most frequently appearing in recent educational literature (values clarification and cognitive development), to discuss methods of initiating values programs, to furnish examples of how schools are…

Explores the question: Is there development in morality, in terms of improvement from one age level to the next, or is there simply change? Argues that the best way to approach moral education is to assume moral equality among children, adolescents, and adults and to strive for the improvement of society in general. (GG)

Research suggests children readily distinguish between moral wrongs and social norm violations. Moral concepts consistently focus on issues of justice and compassion regardless of religious belief. Moral education can be compatible with, and independent from, religious doctrine. Two principals for such education are suggested as useful for…

Following discussion of the philosophical underpinnings for values objectivity and a review of tenents of Piaget's and Kohlberg's (cognitive/moral development) theories, offers a blueprint for establishing a comprehensive values education program needed in environmental education. (JN)

This publication is designed to summarize relevant information on the schools' role in the teaching of values. A brief background on the current status of values teaching is provided and two values education approaches that frequently have appeared in recent educational literature--values clarification and cognitive development--are described.…

The paper, presented in four sections, draws a distinction between citizenship education and values education. Section I defines the six major goals of citizenship education: the development of participatory skills and of intellectual skills; growth in knowledge of facts, concepts, and generalizations; personal development; development of dramatic…

It is stated in the introduction that growing numbers of educators and researchers are concerned with how students develop values and they are examining strategies for values clarification. This monograph presents historical background and recent trends in value education. It discusses the values clarification approach and the cognitive…

A study was conducted to investigate developmental aspects of the logical organization of reasons among 30 boys and girls from each of the first, sixth, and tenth grades. Participants were administered the Responsibility Story Test, a measure consisting of stories portraying moral dilemmas and corresponding semistructured interview schedules.…

A groundswell of interest in values education is calling educators to return to the direct and indirect teaching of positive values. Prompted by scandals in the public domain and breakdown in families, character education is gaining ground in public education. Adhering to the "bag of values" approach to moral education and drawing upon…

Neutrality is of questionable relevance in teaching social issues related to racial or sex discrimination. Because these essentially moral issues are relevant to everyone, a teacher should be committed to fundamental values of justice, fairness, and respect for others. Teaching methods include development of cognitive and affective qualities and…

This annotated bibliography cites ERIC documents and journal articles which focus on children's moral development. Entries include selected resumes from "Resources in Education (RIE)" from February 1974 through December 1975 and selected journal citations from "Current Index to Journals in Education (CIJE)", July 1974 through December 1975. Each…

Argues that effective moral education must address roadblocks in moral thinking, not merely urging moral development forward. Examines Lawrence Kohlberg's moral stages as immoral judgement marked by bias and manipulation. Views the Defining Issues Test (DIT) as a useful glimpse into the nefarious, focused on ideological content and commitment.…

This article demonstrates that the cognitive complexity and personality traits of gifted children create unique experiences and awarenesses that separate them from others. A central feature of children's gifted experience is their moral sensitivity and the asynchronous development of their inner world, which need to be understood and nurtured.…