The Interpersonal Approach to Morality: A Gender and Cultural Analysis

Abstract

Abstract A gender and cultural study of moral judgment was conducted, examining possible gender, cultural, and ethnic differences, to test the adequacy of the theoretical and methodological model of Kohlberg (1969) as a representation of female reasoning. Seventy British, Mexican-American, Black American, and White American men and women were administered the Moral Judgment Interview (Form A). Protocols were scored according to Standard Issue Scoring (Colby et al., 1987). Results supported the assumption of structural universality in moral judgment. Replies across ethnic and cultural groups corresponded to Kohlberg's replies and to his stages, yet an interpersonal orientation to morality was evident in the protocols. Issues of care, communication, and omission were frequently expressed throughout the interviews.