Examines the level of moral development and empathy in adult male sex offenders. Male sex offenders (n=21) and male physical assaulters (n=30) were assessed using the Defining Issues Test and the Interpersonal Reactivity Index. Results indicate significant differences between group means and norm group means on two dimensions of empathy. (JPS)

Research on the effects of Greek life on college student moral development has generally concluded that membership in these organizations does little to enhance moral development. However, this qualitative case study of one fraternity found otherwise. A fraternity at a large Midwestern university was studied. The fraternity (given the pseudonym…

There has been a trend in contemporary ethics to believe that a morally admirable agent would feel negative self-assessing emotions following even the best possible choice in a moral dilemma. A commonly held reason for holding this position is that agents who are well-brought up are trained to feel negative self-assessing emotions when they do…

This paper uses the story of the Wizard of Oz to help explain and understand the vital characteristics and capabilities of a holistic teacher: knowledge, caring and courage. It explores the process of human development as an outcome of developing these faculties and explains their interrelationship so that educators and their students might better…

Catholic schoolteachers face the pedagogical dilemma between remaining faithful to the doctrinal requirements of Catholic Church teaching while also respecting their professional responsibility to promote autonomous, critical thinking and consider the pastoral needs of their students. Although in practice many Catholic educators achieve a…

Although concerns about the moral domain of teaching have been expressed for more than 30 years, empirical studies investigating moral reasoning of in-service and pre-service teachers are sparse. Even fewer studies have investigated the effectiveness of educational interventions to advance moral reasoning in these populations. The purpose of this…

This article explores the theoretical foundations of "social cohesion" as it relates to higher education institutions. In so doing it seeks (a) to understand the core elements of social cohesion--social capital, human capital and ethical behavioral norms that serve a common good--and (b) to establish a flexible framework for understanding the…

Piagetian moral judgment problems were simplified and tested on first grade children to ascertain whether the simplification would affect the subjects' perceptions of intentionality and punishment. (JMB)

General criteria for assessing the varieties of expertise involved in morality were sketched. (Author/RK)

To a large extent adolescent hypocrisy is a function of those expectations of adults and peers which conflict with the adolescent's own feelings and desires. Several different forms of adolescent hypocrisy are distinguished and the factors which induce them are described. (Editor)

This paper identified several powerful pieces of literature written for young children and used successfully by parents, kin-folk, baby-sitters, and teachers, analyzed each book to uncover salient solutions which stimulate empathy, and inferred characteristics of each stage of the unfolding of empathy. (Author/RK)

This article outlines conflicting views in the philosophy of history concerning the possibility and desirability of using moral judgments. (Editor)

This study investigates the relationship between intellectual development and moral development in order to provide additional descriptions of the relationship based on a Piagetian type conservation task and a Piagetian type paired-story situation involving intentional behaviors and final outcomes. (JH)

The work of developmental psychologists, Kohlberg and Piaget, is used to summarize characteristics of moral thinking at the elementary levels in order to help teachers encourage their students to the next higher level. (JH)

A statement of how the media influences moral development. (HB)