Stages Of Moral Development Research Articles

Social media use and mistrust in authority: an examination of Kohlberg’s moral development model

Purpose The study explores how social media impacts institutional trust through the lens of Kohlberg’s stages of moral development. Specifically, this study aims to understand how moral relativism and moral intuitionism can moderate the relationship between social media use and perception of social authorities. Design/methodology/approach The study analyzes a large data set from the World Values Survey, covering responses from approximately 52,000 individuals across 45 countries between 2017 and 2022. Multiple regression analyses were conducted to test for interactions between social media use and stages of moral development on trust in social institutions. Findings The study finds that different stages of moral development significantly moderate the relationship between social media use and institutional trust. Specifically, higher moral development buffers the negative effect of social media use on trust in three main social institutions: law enforcement, parliament and the legal system. In contrast, individuals with higher levels of moral relativism and moral intuitionism are more susceptible to the negative influence of social media on institutional trust. Research limitations/implications The study relies on self-reported data from the World Values Survey, which may introduce response biases. In addition, while the large-scale data set offers insights into correlations, it does not allow for conclusive causal inferences. Originality/value This research contributes to understanding technology’s impact on modern societies by highlighting the role of individual moral development in shaping perceptions of key social institutions. The study uniquely integrates Kohlberg’s moral development theory with the influence of social media, offering a novel perspective on how personal moral systems can moderate the effect of digital media use.

Whistleblowing likelihood scale in the lights of Kohlberg and Maqasid Shariah

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to develop a new whistleblowing scale considering the conventional and Islamic perspectives in combating corruption. Whistleblowing has received great attention because it helps the corruption prevention process by revealing bad practices, improving transparency and ensuring accountability. However, not many scholars have focused on the concept of whistleblowing in the Islamic context.Design/methodology/approachThe study uses a theoretical inquiry design, delving into the literature to thoroughly examine whistleblowing likelihood, Kohlberg’s theory and Maqasid Shariah. Through qualitative content analysis, relevant concepts are scrutinized and synthesized. The integration of Kohlberg’s theory and Maqasid Shariah aims to offer a comprehensive framework for comprehending whistleblowing likelihood, integrating perspectives from both Western and Islamic traditions.FindingsThis study has conceptualized the integration of the six stages of Kohlberg and Maqasid Shariah to understand whistleblowing likelihood. The study offers a scale to explain whistleblowing likelihood based on the two theories.Research limitations/implicationsThe correlation between Kohlberg and Maqasid Shariah reveals a nuanced relationship between individual moral evolution and Islamic ethical imperatives, in the context of whistleblowing likelihood. As individuals progress through Kohlberg’s stages, aligning with Maqasid Shariah’s emphasis on societal well-being, their inclination to blow the whistle evolves from early considerations of fear and conformity to a commitment to universal ethical principles and justice.Practical implicationsThe new scale integrating Kohlberg and Maqasid Shariah aids ethical climates in organizations by assessing employees’ moral development and promoting ethical leadership through tailored training. Aligned with Islamic values, the scale becomes a tool for fostering ethical behavior and organizational culture, emphasizing justice and commitment to higher ethical objectives. Managers must delicately balance justice and community harmony when implementing whistleblowing initiatives to ensure a positive impact on both ethical principles and organizational cohesion.Social implicationsBy integrating the six stages of moral development proposed by Kohlberg, the new scale plays a role in promoting transparency and accountability for sustainable development. Furthermore, its alignment with Maqasid Shariah contributes to addressing corruption and advocating for social justice, making the scale a catalyst for societal well-being that respects cultural and religious values. Ultimately, the scale supports a socially responsible approach, reinforcing ethical behavior and contributing to the broader global agenda for sustainable and just societies.Originality/valueThe new scale integrating Kohlberg and Maqasid Shariah offers an innovative and interdisciplinary approach to assessing whistleblowing likelihood. This fusion provides a nuanced understanding of individuals’ ethical reasoning, aligning universal moral principles with Islamic ethics. The scale not only broadens the conceptual framework for evaluating ethical decision-making but also respects cultural diversity, making it inclusive and applicable across diverse global contexts.

Moral reasoning and sexual and reproductive rights: a longitudinal qualitative study with young Christian people

Moral reasoning constitutes the psychological progression of thought, enabling decision-making. Consequently, this research aims to analyze such reasoning in the discourse on sexual and reproductive rights of emerging adult individuals who adhere to the Catholic or Evangelical faith. Through interviews conducted in 2016, 2018, and 2020 with four young individuals, it is noted that the higher stages of moral development are closely linked to the defense and promotion of these rights.

The Nature of Moral Realism vs. Anti-Realism and Its Implications for Moral Discourse and Practice

Purpose: The general objective of this study was to explore the nature of moral realism vs. anti-realism and its implications for moral discourse and practice. Methodology: The study adopted a desktop research methodology. Desk research refers to secondary data or that which can be collected without fieldwork. Desk research is basically involved in collecting data from existing resources hence it is often considered a low cost technique as compared to field research, as the main cost is involved in executive’s time, telephone charges and directories. Thus, the study relied on already published studies, reports and statistics. This secondary data was easily accessed through the online journals and library. Findings: The findings reveal that there exists a contextual and methodological gap relating to the nature of moral realism vs. anti-realism and its implications for moral discourse and practice. Preliminary empirical review revealed that individuals' beliefs about moral realism vs. anti-realism significantly influenced their moral reasoning and behaviors, with proponents of moral realism exhibiting absolutist moral judgments while those endorsing anti-realism demonstrated greater moral flexibility. Cultural and ideological variations in these beliefs were evident, reflecting diverse societal norms and values. Longitudinal studies revealed the developmental origins of these beliefs, emphasizing the importance of early moral education. Overall, the study highlighted the complex interplay between philosophical perspectives on morality and real-world implications, advocating for informed and culturally sensitive approaches to moral discourse and practice. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: The Kohlberg's Stages of Moral Development, Social Identity theory and Cultural Relativism may be used to anchor future studies on the nature of moral realism vs. anti-realism. The study provided valuable recommendations for theory, practice, and policy. It contributed to theoretical advancements in moral philosophy by integrating empirical evidence with philosophical insights, thereby refining existing theories and generating new avenues for exploration. The findings had practical implications for educators, policymakers, and practitioners, emphasizing the importance of ethical education, interdisciplinary collaboration, and ethical leadership practices. Policy recommendations highlighted the need for contextually sensitive approaches to addressing ethical issues, while ethical practice emphasized fostering open dialogue and ethical reflexivity in professional settings. The study also identified future research directions, suggesting the importance of longitudinal and interdisciplinary studies to further advance our understanding of morality and ethics. Keywords: Moral Realism, Anti-Realism, Moral Discourse, Beliefs, Philosophy, Ethics, Interdisciplinary, Collaboration, Ethical Leadership, Professional Practice

Ethics and compliance programs for a new business narrative: A Kohlberg‐based moral valuing model for diagnosing commitment at the top

AbstractA genuine commitment to ethics and compliance (E&C) programs means that top management adopt them for what they represent and not for other purposes. Only then can they truly build socially responsible behavior and a successful and sustainable business, as stated in the latest international standard for compliance management practice (ISO 37301:2021), which we found to be consistent with a new business narrative as conceptualized in Freeman's work. However, it also requires that top managers place a moral value on these practices, rather than simply using them for instrumental reasons. Building on Kohlberg's six stages of moral development as applied to managers' moral thinking, this manuscript offers a model to explain how top managers' moral valuing of these practices varies along a moral reasoning continuum, resulting in four distinct modes. It also theorizes that each mode of moral valuing yields an archetype of E&C programs. It thus offers a new approach that contributes to the business ethics and management literature by incorporating a morally grounded perspective on the adoption and implementation of E&C practices and how it might shape their features and characteristics. It also aims to improve professional practice and business contributions to Freeman's ideas through genuine ethics‐based E&C programs.

Morals and Historical Considerations of Ethics

Objectives: The primary aim of this article is to examine the history of cultural heritage and philosophical thought in Central Asia, utilizing a scientific-theoretical perspective. The focus is on providing a comprehensive understanding of the historical stages of moral development among Central Asian thinkers, emphasizing the significance of these stages based on the principles of historicism.
 
 Methods: The research methodology involves a thorough investigation of the moral heritage of Central Asian people. The study pays special attention to the unique features of moral views held by medieval Central Asian thinkers, highlighting their relevance to independence. The paper explores diverse aspects of socio-philosophical and moral thoughts in Central Asia, emphasizing their pivotal role in shaping and enriching the region's moral heritage.
 
 Results: The findings reveal that the issue of moral heritage extends beyond a global perspective, manifesting distinct characteristics in Central Asia. The article delves into the creative enrichment of views expressed by thinkers and mystics throughout the historical development of moral ideas, incorporating influences from folk art, "Avesta," and Islamic values, including verses from the Qur'an and hadiths. The results affirm that this rich tapestry of moral heritage serves as a solid foundation for the spiritual identity of the region.
 
 Conclusion: The conclusion drawn from the exploration of Central Asian moral heritage underscores the scientific basis of the tradition of succession in glorifying morality within the human values system. The article contends that the issue of morality, central to philosophy and mysticism, remains pertinent in the education of the contemporary young generation. The advanced traditions embedded in the moral heritage, as influenced by the holy book of Islam "Qur'an Karim," "Hadith Sharif," and Sufism teachings, have become a program guiding behavior, education, and personal perfection in the region.

A Review of the Psychological Impact of Leader-Experienced Frustrations and Inspirations: the Moderating Roles of Gender, Stage of Moral Development, and Organizational Centralization

A Review of the Psychological Impact of Leader-Experienced Frustrations and Inspirations: the Moderating Roles of Gender, Stage of Moral Development, and Organizational Centralization

MORAL REASONING AND INTENTION TO PERFORM UNETHICAL BEHAVIOUR OF LECTURERS IN MALAYSIA

The process of deciding what is right or wrong in a particular scenario is known as moral reasoning. Moral reasoning is important as it will help to shape an individual’s intention whether to perform or not to perform an unethical behaviour. This study will examine the level of moral reasoning of lecturers in public universities of Malaysia and examine its relationship to intention to perform unethical behaviour. The Defining Issues Test 2 (DIT2) via N2 scores was used to measure the level of moral reasoning of lecturers. Intention to perform unethical behaviour was measured using ethical dilemmas scenarios. Online survey was sent to 30 lecturers of the Faculty of Business/ Management from 20 public universities. 130 responses were received, and data collected was sent to the Centre for the Study of Ethical Development University of Alabama for reliability test, scoring and analysis, as it is copyrighted. Only 83 responses passed the DIT2 reliability test and was then used for further analysis. The result shows that the N2 score of lecturers is at the low level of 23.39 which falls in Kohlberg’s Cognitive Moral Development stage 2 and 3 representing the personal interest schema. The study also found that moral reasoning of lecturers does not affect their intention to perform unethical behaviour. This could be because the level of moral reasoning of lecturers are at a low level and thus do not affect intention to perform unethical behaviour. Thus, efforts should be taken to develop the moral reasoning to a higher level such as exposing them to ethics courses and ethics training program that can increase their cognitive moral development to a higher level so that they do not only focus on self but also on law, social order and universal ethical principles.

THE USE OF INTERACTIVE STORYBOOK WITH DEMONSTRATION AS A SUPPLEMENTAL TOOL IN TEACHING THEORIES OF CHILD DEVELOPMENT: AN ACTION RESEARCH

This study aims to measure the effectiveness of an interactive storybook with demonstrations as a supplemental tool in teaching theories of child development. The researchers implemented their own storybook and a sixty (60) item questionnaire, with ten (10) questions for each theory of Freud's 3 Components of Personality and Psychosexual Stages, Erikson’s psycho-social stages of development; Piaget’s stages of cognitive development; Kohlberg’s stages of moral development; Vygotsky’s language and zone of proximal development; and Bronfrenbrenner's ecological system theory. The participants of this study are the students from the Bachelor of Secondary Education of UM Digos College for the School Year 2022-2023 who have already taken EDUC 101: Child and Adolescent Development subject. The result of the study revealed that there is a significant difference in the pre-test (x̄=19.84, SD=11.44) and post-test (x̄=52.36, SD=2.72) scores of students; t(21) = -13.389, p = 0.000. In addition, the innovation increased students’ overall performance by 62.15%, indicating that the created innovation is effective. Overall, the result revealed that using a storybook with demonstration allows students to increase their performance in child development theories. Based on the findings, the researchers concluded that using the aforementioned supplemental tools would aid the teachers in delivering the concepts of child development theories.<p> </p><p><strong> Article visualizations:</strong></p><p><img src="/-counters-/soc/0057/a.php" alt="Hit counter" /></p>

Implications of rule-breaking behavior in Young Adult Literature for Educators

The purpose of this research is to address the issue of rule-breaking behavior and its’ depiction in young adult literature. Children encounter ethical and moral dilemmas throughout their development, and young adult literature has long been a medium used to explore the issue. However, the depiction of rule breakers is not rebellious youth, acting out against society, but rather more heroic figures who adopt an attitude of the ends justifying the means. Rule breaking is a consistent problem reported by teachers, and a lack of discipline among students is seen by students as one of the largest problems facing public schools. The authors first outlines the characteristics of the behavior, relating it to Kohlberg’s stages of moral development, using occurrences in popular YAL novels as reference. Then, implications for educators and their use of young adult literature are detailed.

Perkembangan Moral Santri di Madrasah Tahfidz Putri Anak (MTPA)

Santri Tahfidz is seen as people of good morals because they have the Al-Qur'an as a controller of their behavior. This study aims to analyze moral development, influencing factors, and Pesantren's efforts to develop the ethical aspects of santri tahfidz at Madrasah Tahfidz Putri Anak (MTPA). The research method used qualitative, data collection techniques through interviews and observations. The process of determining the informants used purposive sampling. This research found three research results. First, the stage of moral development of santri tahfidz at MTPA was the heteronomous stage. Second, the factors that affect the moral development of santri tahfidz were divided into 2, namely, internal factors in the form of nature or nature that has been brought from birth and external factors; the family, the pesantren environment and social relations between friends. Third, the pesantren's efforts in developing the morality aspects of the santri tahfidz were by implementing rules and consequences, as well as several religious and social programs or activities within the pesantren environment.

How the COVID-19 pandemic affects the moral reasoning of pediatric residents and the general population

BackgroundKohlberg’s theory of moral development asserts that people progress through different stages of moral reasoning as their cognitive abilities and social interactions mature. Individuals at the lowest stage of moral reasoning (preconventional stage) judge moral issues based on self-interest, those with a medium stage (conventional stage) judge them based on compliance with rules and norms, and those at the highest stage (postconventional stage) judge moral issues based on universal principles and shared ideals. Upon attaining adulthood, it can be considered that there is stability in the stage of individuals’ moral development; however, the effect of a global population crisis such as the one experienced in March 2020, when the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the COVID-19 pandemic, is unknown. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the changes in the moral reasoning of pediatric residents before and after one year of the COVID-19 pandemic and compare them with a general population group.MethodsThis is a naturalistic quasi-experimental study conducted with two groups, one comprised 47 pediatric residents of a tertiary hospital converted into a COVID hospital during the pandemic and another group comprised 47 beneficiaries of a family clinic who were not health workers. The defining issues test (DIT) was applied to the 94 participants during March 2020, before the pandemic initiated in Mexico, and later during March 2021. To assess intragroup changes, the McNemar-Bowker and Wilcoxon tests were used.ResultsPediatric residents showed higher baseline stages of moral reasoning: 53% in the postconventional group compared to the general population group (7%). In the preconventional group, 23% were residents and 64% belonged to the general population. In the second measurement, one year after the start of the pandemic, the group of residents had a significant decrease of 13 points in the P index, unlike the general population group in which a decrease of 3 points was observed. This decrease however, did not equalize baseline stages. Pediatric residents remained 10 points higher than the general population group. Moral reasoning stages were associated with age and educational stage.ConclusionsAfter a year of the COVID-19 pandemic, we found a decrease in the stage of moral reasoning development in pediatric residents of a hospital converted for the care of patients with COVID-19, while it remained stable in the general population group. Physicians showed higher stages of moral reasoning at baseline than the general population.

MEDIA PEMBELAJARAN WAYANG KERTAS UNTUK MENDUKUNG PROSES PENCERITAAN DALAM RANGKA MENGEMBANGKAN MORAL ANAK USIA SEKOLAH DASAR

The challenge of education in the current era of disruption is to produce children who are able to think creatively, critically, innovatively, and with interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary sensitivity. Moral learning needs to be done as early as possible, according to the stages of children's moral development. Children's moral development is facilitated through learning activities that aim to provide moral knowledge to children. Children's knowledge can be developed through stories that are held through learning activities. The moral development of children through methods supported by wayang media is expected to facilitate early childhood learning. The wayang media presented not only features characters that match the character of each character but is also equipped with dialogue that allows reciprocity between children and wayang characters.

A Qualitative Research on Moral Perceptions of Faculty of Divinity Students

Bu çalışmada ilahiyat fakültesi öğrencilerinin ahlakı hangi bağlam ve sıfatlarla algıladığı incelenmektedir. Din eğitimcisi ve din hizmetleri personeli olarak görevlendirilecek olan ilahiyat fakültesi öğrencilerinin ahlakı nasıl algıladıklarını ortaya koymak araştırmanın temel hedefidir. Nitel bir desene sahip olan araştırmada elde edilen veriler anlayıcı geleneğe dayanılarak yorumlanmıştır. Katılımcıların ahlakı dört temel boyut üzerinde algıladıkları tespit edilmiştir. Buna göre değer temelli kişilik özellikleri en çok zikredilen ahlakî nitelikler olarak belirlenirken bilhassa saygı, adalet, doğruluk, iyilik yapmak ön plana çıkmıştır. Çevre ve toplumla olan ilişkiler bağlamında doğaya duyarlılık ve toplum huzurunu bozmama daha çok zikredilmiştir. Adabı muaşeret kurallarına uyum ve iletişimde düzgün bir üslup kullanımı üzerinde durulmuştur. Son olarak, din temelli özelliklerde, kişinin nefsine hâkim olması, eylemlerinde Allah korkusu ve onun yasaklarını gözetmesi öne çıkmıştır. Öğrencilerin pek çoğunun ahlakı, olumsuz olan davranışı yapmama şeklinde algıladığı anlaşılmıştır. Bu bağlamda yanlışı yapmamak pek çok katılımcı için yeterlidir ve bu da ahlakî gelişimin alt aşamalarına hitap etmektedir.

The Management of Student Moral Development in the Learning Process at Ihya' Ulumuddin Islamic Boarding School, Masbagik, East Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia

The purpose of this study is to describe the management of students' moral development in the learning process at Ihya' Ulumuddin Islamic Boarding School, Masbagik, East Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia. This research uses a qualitative approach, with the type of case study. The subjects in this study were students and Islamic boarding school administrators. Data were collected using observation, interview and documentation techniques. The results showed that in the planning stage, Ihya' Ulumuddin Islamic boarding school from the beginning carried out strict moral development of students by requiring students to stay at the boarding school (not allowed to go home) without exception. In the actuating stage, the moral development of students is carried out by making classical moral books as a mandatory reference, such as Kitab Ta'lim Muta'alim, Kitab Akhlaq Lilbanin and Kitab Adab covering 50 manners in 50 situations. The controling stage of the students' moral development is enforced by giving sanctions in the event of an offence starting with a verbal warning to physical punishment that does not intend to hurt. The evaluation stage is carried out with three methods: direct supervision by all boarding school residents (ustadz and students), formal examinations, and the involvement of parents during school holidays. The moral development of students can be done by implementing a typical Islamic boarding school-based moral development management. This article demonstrates the uniqueness of Islamic boarding school-based moral development management that combines modern learning methods without having to abandon its classical salafy characteristics.

The Integration of Kohlberg Moral Development Theory with Education Character

This research aims to know the integration of Kohlberg's moral development theory with education character. It was done at Universitas Kristen Indonesia from January to June 2020. The method used in this research is a library study, in the form of research whose objects are literature works, namely scientific journals, books, articles in the mass media, and statistical data. The literature obtained was used as an alternative to answering research problems written by researchers regarding the religious and moral development of elementary-age children. The result of the study is that the implementation of character education following the conditions of the individual moral development stage is a wise effort that educators can make in the dynamics of character education. So, implementing aspects of moral knowing, moral feeling, and moral behaviour as the essence of character education will be easier if educators understand the position and stage of moral development the student is taking place.

Attitudes of Filipino health profession students toward interprofessional education: a descriptive study

ABSTRACT The thrust of interprofessional education is to prepare health professions students to deliberately learn and work together with a common goal of providing better and safer care for service users. This study sought to describe the attitudes of health profession students toward interprofessional education and to identify which among the variables (i.e., sex, programme, year level, prior clinical and interprofessional education experiences, and level of moral development) are determinants of their attitudes toward interprofessional education. A total of 485 participants were surveyed using a validated, three-part Interprofessional Education-Attitude Scale (IPE-AS). No statistically significant difference was found between the attitudes toward interprofessional education and variables such as sex, prior clinical and interprofessional education experiences among medical, nursing, and pharmacy students. Our findings found that those with more agreeable attitudes toward interprofessional education were students in the medical programme, those from the lower year levels and those with higher stages of morality (based on Kohlberg’s stages of moral development). This suggests that IPE must be introduced across health science curricula with an intentional profiling of students about their experiences related to learning and working with students from different programmes. Moral development, as a variable in the study, also provides information as to how it can improve IPE programmes, competencies, and experiences of students in the fields of health sciences.

Teaching Kohlberg’s Levels of Moral Development: Using Jojo Rabbit to Highlight the Journey

This classroom exercise uses the movie Jojo Rabbit to teach students Kohlberg’s three levels and six stages of moral development. This is a helpful way to teach the concept of moral development because it helps students to visualize the nature of each of the stages and how one might move through them. It is appropriate for both undergraduate and graduate classes in management principles, ethics, organizational behavior, and leadership. The exercise can be completed in a 60 or 90 minute class. Student feedback is very positive.

Development and Preliminary Validation of the Moral Reasoning Questionnaire for Secondary School Students

Moral reasoning is a key element of the Singapore Ministry of Education’s Character and Citizenship Education curriculum, and educators in Singapore are currently encouraged to facilitate growth in students’ moral reasoning based on the Stages of Moral Development established by Lawrence Kohlberg. To monitor students’ progress in this area, however, a validated test of moral reasoning is needed. A review of existing moral reasoning assessments indicated that none provide a practical means by which large numbers of students in Singapore classrooms can be assessed in this area. In this study, the Moral Reasoning Questionnaire (MRQ) was developed and validated to assess moral reasoning development in Singapore secondary classrooms. The MRQ presents moral dilemmas that integrate prosocial, anti-social, and social pressure elements within situations that would be familiar to Singapore secondary (grades 7–12, aged between 12 and 18) students. Evidence supported the reliability and validity of the MRQ. The MRQ could be applicable as a practical means to assess moral reasoning on a broad-scale basis.

Perkembangan Moral Siswa SMP Tentang Permasalahan Pertanian Pasang Surut di Kabupaten Banjar Melalui Penyelesaian Masalah

Moral is the ability to understand the values in society about the views of good-bad, right-wrong, what individuals should and should not do in community groups. The moral development of adolescents is more mature and more familiar with moral values or the concept of morality compared to the age of children. The problem of tidal agriculture was raised as a moral dilemma case, so that the stages and characteristics of students' moral development in solving problems were obtained. The purpose of this study was to describe the stages of moral development of the students of SMP Negeri 1 Gambut on the problems of tidal agriculture in Banjar Regency. The research method used is a qualitative approach and the type of descriptive research. The research aid instrument was in the form of an early test of moral development using the Defining Issue Test (DIT), written assignments, and interviews. The results showed that the stages of moral development of junior high school students regarding tidal agricultural problems in Banjar Regency through problem solving were in stages 2, 3, and 4.