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Delinquents with mature moral reasoning: a comparison with delayed delinquents and mature nondelinquents

Schnell, Steven V.
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1387362467

Abstract Details

1986, Doctor of Philosophy, Ohio State University, Psychology.

Kohlberg's theory of the development of moral reasoning relates the antisocial behavior to delinquents to delays in moral reasoning. Because delinquents reason about moral situations in an immature manner, their moral decisions and the subsequent behaviors are often socially unacceptable. Kohlberg's theory has difficulty accounting for the antisocial behavior of the significant minority of delinquents who have achieved age-appropriate, or mature, moral reasoning.

Incarcerated delinquents who had developed mature moral reasoning were compared with incarcerated delinquents who were delayed in their moral reasoning, and nondelinquents with mature moral reasoning. Delinquent subjects completed the MMPI and all subjects completed the Sociomoral Reflection Measure (a written measure similar to the Moral Judgment Interview), the Opportunity for Role Taking Measure, two measures of values, a neutralization measure, a self-report measure of delinquency, and the Quick Test.

As hypothesized, mature delinquents demonstrated a greater amount of "internalizing" psychopathology/personality style than delayed delinquents. Both delayed and mature delinquents showed a high level of psychopathology.

Consistent with Kohlberg's theory, role-taking opportunities varied as a function of level of moral reasoning and not as a function of delinquency. However, significant differences were not found when verbal ability was covaried.

As hypothesized, delayed and mature delinquents showed a greater acceptance of antisocial behavior than did nondelinquents. Contrary to expectation, delayed delinquents accepted antisocial behavior to a greater extent than mature delinquents. No significant mean difference was found on a measure of subterranean values.

Contrary to expectation, mature nondelinquents utilized neutralization to a greater degree than both delayed and mature delinquents. Mature delinquents were found to rate behaviors more harshly and to be less flexible in their moral judgments than mature nondelinquents.

Delayed and mature delinquents did not differ in verbal ability; amount, type, or severity of self-report delinquent behavior; or past physical punishment.

The results suggest that a relationship exists between the development of moral reasoning and type of psychopathology/personality. Psychopathology, content of values, and a rigidity/flexibility variable all appear to be related to antisocial behavior in delinquents with mature moral reasoning. Treatment implications are discussed.

John Gibbs (Advisor)
193 p.
Developmental Psychology

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Schnell, S. V. (1986). Delinquents with mature moral reasoning: a comparison with delayed delinquents and mature nondelinquents [Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1387362467

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Schnell, Steven V.. Delinquents with mature moral reasoning: a comparison with delayed delinquents and mature nondelinquents. 1986. Ohio State University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1387362467.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Schnell, Steven V.. "Delinquents with mature moral reasoning: a comparison with delayed delinquents and mature nondelinquents." Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University, 1986. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1387362467

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

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© 1986, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by The Ohio State University and OhioLINK.