Adolescent Conceptions of Morality: Development and Functioning
Sam Hardy,
Psychology
This study will be the first to investigate the ways in which adolescents conceptualize what it means to be a moral person, and how such conceptualizations relate to their overall moral functioning and positive development. It is anticipated that adolescents’ conceptions of moral maturity will differ from those of adults as described by Walker and Pitts (1998), but in ways that will reflect social, emotional, and cognitive development and socialization. Further, it is expected that the degree to which adolescents are committed to becoming the type of person they see as moral (their moral prototype) will be linked to their own sense of moral identity as well as their commitment to moral action. Lastly, it is expected that religiosity and parenting will function as contexts important to adolescent conceptions of morality. In short, the proposed study hopes to paint a more holistic picture of moral personality and move the field forward in understanding how moral persons develop and function. Additionally, the proposed study focuses on adolescent morality in hopes that closer examination of the processes of moral development during this important period of life will provide avenues for fostering positive adolescent development and strengthening adolescents’ moral commitments. Finally, understanding specific dimensions of parenting that facilitate intergenerational transmission of conceptions of morality will prove useful for parent education efforts.
