Conversations and Moral Development

Abstract

In this chapter, the author integrates dominant approaches to moral development in order to outline the significance of conversations for moral development and socialization. Across socialization, narrative, constructivist, and language socialization approaches, research on conversations has advanced our understanding of the development of moral conscience, moral selves, moral concepts, and moral language practices, respectively. While the majority of these research endeavors has focused on social interactions, a move to the investigation of conversations promises to advance our understanding not only of the social bases of moral development, but also its social processes. The author concludes by suggesting avenues for future research that examine moral conversations across the life course, between various social partners, and in relation to cultural beliefs. Such research will help to reveal the unique affordances of conversations in the process of moral development.