Citation

Cortese A. Hisp. J. Behav. Sci. 1982; 4(3): 353-366.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1982, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/07399863820043005

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The basic problem investigated in this article is whether Chicanos and Anglos show the same progression through Kohlberg's general levels of moral reasoning. The cognitive-developmental approach emphasizes logical development and social experience via role taking as prerequisites to moral maturity. A focused, cross-ethnic sample of 169 second through ninth graders was selected controlling for age, grade level, socioeconomic status, IQ, sex, and religion. The subjects were presented five videotaped moral dilemmas and were administered a derivation of the Defining Issues Test. As hypothesized, Anglos generally scored higher than Chicanos on the moral judgment measures. Several possible explanations for the disparity are considered. Finally, results comparing responses across the areas of moral judgment studied support a multidimensional nature of moral reasoning.

Language: en