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1976•The Journal of Genetic PsychologyRequires access

Maturity of Moral Judgment

Stephen Harris, Paul Mussen, Eldred Rutherford

Open publisher page 59 citations

Abstract

This study was designed to test the hypothesis that maturity of moral judgment is related to moral behavior and to certain personality characteristics. The Ss, 33 fifth grade boys (approximately 10 1/2-years of age), were given the Kohlberg test of moral judgment, and scores on this test were related to a measure of general intelligence, moral conduct as judged by peers (sociometric nominations), honesty in a structured test, and certain personality variables. Maturity of moral judgment was found to be significantly correlated with general cognitive ability (intelligence test performance) and, even with intelligence partialed out, with resistance to temptation, reputation for being concerned with the welfare of others, self-confidence, and security in social relationships with peers.

About this research paper

What this paper is about

This study was designed to test the hypothesis that maturity of moral judgment is related to moral behavior and to certain personality characteristics. The Ss, 33 fifth grade boys (approximately 10 1/2-years of age), were given the Kohlberg test of moral judgment, and scores on this test were related to a measure of general intelligence, moral conduct as judged by peers (sociometric nominations), honesty in a structured test, and certain personality variables. Maturity of moral judgment was found to be significantly correlated with general cognitive ability (intelligence test performance) and, even with intelligence partialed out, with resistance to temptation, reputation for being concerned with the welfare of others, self-confidence, and security in social relationships with peers.

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OpenAlex reports 59 citations for this work. Citation counts describe recorded attention and do not establish research quality.

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Available abstract

This study was designed to test the hypothesis that maturity of moral judgment is related to moral behavior and to certain personality characteristics. The Ss, 33 fifth grade boys (approximately 10 1/2-years of age), were given the Kohlberg test of moral judgment, and scores on this test were related to a measure of general intelligence, moral conduct as judged by peers (sociometric nominations), honesty in a structured test, and certain personality variables. Maturity of moral judgment was found to be significantly correlated with general cognitive ability (intelligence test performance) and, even with intelligence partialed out, with resistance to temptation, reputation for being concerned with the welfare of others, self-confidence, and security in social relationships with peers.

Key concepts: Psychology, Lawrence Kohlberg's stages of moral development, Social psychology, Test (biology), Maturity (psychological), Moral development, Honesty, Temptation

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