Administered standard and modified versions of the Defining Issues Test (DIT) to 40 older adults. Contrary to previous studies, the self/other manipulation failed to significantly influence older adults' moral judgments. The role of cognitive/perspective-taking and personal/affective factors in moral reasoning abilities are discussed. (JAC)

Examined age and sex variations in moral judgment processes in 242 respondents aged 14 to 92. Found few sex differences in stage or patterns of information-seeking. Older participants (over age 75) scored at significantly lower stage levels than younger subjects. Older participants seemed more likely than younger subjects to assimilate moral…

Examined role of age and education in adult moral reasoning. Interviewed 195 adults between ages of 19 and 82 using standard Kohlberg moral dilemmas. Subjects' education levels ranged from 3 to 25 years. Found no overall significant effect for age, no significant effect for gender, and significant effect for education. (Author/NB)

Dilemma content had a significant effect on moral judgement, with a tendency for each age group to use a higher level of judgment when the situation described was age-appropriate. Results indicated a significant age difference on a measure of spontaneous role taking: old persons made more definitive moral judgments than the younger adults.…