Moral Thinking in Male Elementary Pupils as Reflected by Perception of Basketball Rules

Abstract

Abstract It was the purpose of this investigation to test the feasibility of applying Piaget's “Rules of the Game,” as they relate to moral development, to male pupils in the elementary grades. The study was based upon a modification of the marble experiment conducted by Piaget. Males (N = 72) in grades 1 to 6 were individually interviewed and asked a series of 5 questions on the rules of the game of basketball. Responses were categorized as typical of a morality of constraint or a morality of cooperation. Statistical significant differences were found between grade levels for the total population and the white males in the responses categorized as a morality of constraint. Pupil's responses in grades 3, 4, 5, and 6 were similar, while those in grades 1 and 2 clustered together. The results of the study lend support to Piaget's contention of different levels of moral thinking in elementary school children. It is important that those involved with the instruction and supervision of children during game activities be familiar with the various levels of moral thinking if they are to facilitate the moral development of young children.