1
Micaela Lombard
62453084
HRPYC81 – Assignment 27
Title: Psycho-social factors of moral development in South
African adolescents.
, 2
Contents Page
Abstract Page 3
Introduction Page 4
Literature Review Page 4 – 12
Different views regarding moral development Page 4 – 8
Aspects related to moral development Page 8 – 11
Rationale – importance of studying moral development in adolescence Page 12
Research Aims Page 13 – 14
Methodology (Quantitative) Page 13 – 19
Methodology (Qualitative) Page 19 – 20
Data collection procedures Page 20 – 21
Data analysis (Quantitative) Page 21
Data analysis (Qualitative) Page 21 – 22
Ethical considerations Page 22 – 23
Results (Quantitative) Page 23 – 24
Findings (Qualitative) Page 24 – 32
Discussion (Quantitative) Page 32 – 34
Discussion (Qualitative) Page 35
Limitations and Strengths Page 35 – 36
Contributions Page 36
Conclusion Page 36
Plagiarism Page 37
References Page 38
Appendix – Questionnaire, Consent Forms Page 39
, 3
Title: Psycho-social factors of moral development in South African adolescents.
Abstract:
This mixed-methods report had the aim to explore and better understand how the psycho-
social factors present in an adolescent’s life contribute to their moral development. Can the
presence or elimination of certain factors contribute to moral development detrimentally or
beneficially? To comprehensively investigate this issue the importance of the study of
adolescent moral development will be explored as well as different theories on moral
development – including the theories of Kohlberg and Gilligan, which provides the female
perspective on moral development. Factors contributing either positively or negatively to
moral development will be explored such as parental influences, peer influences and personal
values. The differences and similarities in moral reasoning of boys and girls will be explored
as well as the reasons for this phenomenon. In addition, the possible relationship between
identity development and moral development will be investigated. The study aimed to
establish possible relationships between moral development and identity-formation, the
quality of the maternal relationship and the degree of internalisation of parental values. The
difference between the moral development of boys and girls was also explored. Identity-
formation and moral development were found to have a positive and statistically significant,
although weak relationship. The relationship between moral development and the quality of
the maternal relationship as well as the extent of internalisation of parental values were found
to not be statistically significant. The development of morality between boys and girls was
also not found to be statistically significant. This study focused exclusively on a South
African population and thus it might be assumed that differences between the findings of this
study and previous research might be attributable to the uniqueness of the South African
population.
, 4
Introduction:
Adolescent development has long been a topic of research and discussion. When analysing
how a mature person came to be, different aspects of development are studied – physical,
emotional, sexual, cognitive and moral to name a few. Moral development can be defined as
the process whereby an individual’s judgement is developed according to what is perceived
as right and wrong. This includes elements of adherence to societal laws and behaviour
toward others (Ebersöhn, Gouws, Lewis & Theron, 2015). The purpose of this study is to
determine which factors influence the moral development of South African adolescents. The
rresearch problem addresses the psychosocial (familial relationships, identity-formation)
factors contributing to moral development during adolescence. A mixed-methods research
design was utilized to determine the relationship between moral development and gender,
identity-formation, maternal relationships and internalization of parental values. A
questionnaire consisting of a qualitative and a quantitative section was administered to a total
of 1828 participants from various parts of South Africa. Pearson’s product-moment
correlation and T-tests were used to analyse the data. The findings were compared to the
literature review and previous studies.
Literature Review: Moral development as a key developmental issue during adolescence
Different views regarding moral development
Kohlberg:
Undoubtedly the most influential theory in the field, Kohlberg’s stages of moral development
have long informed our understanding of moral development through childhood as well as
providing a framework for further study on this topic. Kohlberg identified three levels of
moral development, each with two stages. According to Kohlberg (1971) development of
morality according to this theory follows an invariant sequence – all stages are achieved in a
Micaela Lombard
62453084
HRPYC81 – Assignment 27
Title: Psycho-social factors of moral development in South
African adolescents.
, 2
Contents Page
Abstract Page 3
Introduction Page 4
Literature Review Page 4 – 12
Different views regarding moral development Page 4 – 8
Aspects related to moral development Page 8 – 11
Rationale – importance of studying moral development in adolescence Page 12
Research Aims Page 13 – 14
Methodology (Quantitative) Page 13 – 19
Methodology (Qualitative) Page 19 – 20
Data collection procedures Page 20 – 21
Data analysis (Quantitative) Page 21
Data analysis (Qualitative) Page 21 – 22
Ethical considerations Page 22 – 23
Results (Quantitative) Page 23 – 24
Findings (Qualitative) Page 24 – 32
Discussion (Quantitative) Page 32 – 34
Discussion (Qualitative) Page 35
Limitations and Strengths Page 35 – 36
Contributions Page 36
Conclusion Page 36
Plagiarism Page 37
References Page 38
Appendix – Questionnaire, Consent Forms Page 39
, 3
Title: Psycho-social factors of moral development in South African adolescents.
Abstract:
This mixed-methods report had the aim to explore and better understand how the psycho-
social factors present in an adolescent’s life contribute to their moral development. Can the
presence or elimination of certain factors contribute to moral development detrimentally or
beneficially? To comprehensively investigate this issue the importance of the study of
adolescent moral development will be explored as well as different theories on moral
development – including the theories of Kohlberg and Gilligan, which provides the female
perspective on moral development. Factors contributing either positively or negatively to
moral development will be explored such as parental influences, peer influences and personal
values. The differences and similarities in moral reasoning of boys and girls will be explored
as well as the reasons for this phenomenon. In addition, the possible relationship between
identity development and moral development will be investigated. The study aimed to
establish possible relationships between moral development and identity-formation, the
quality of the maternal relationship and the degree of internalisation of parental values. The
difference between the moral development of boys and girls was also explored. Identity-
formation and moral development were found to have a positive and statistically significant,
although weak relationship. The relationship between moral development and the quality of
the maternal relationship as well as the extent of internalisation of parental values were found
to not be statistically significant. The development of morality between boys and girls was
also not found to be statistically significant. This study focused exclusively on a South
African population and thus it might be assumed that differences between the findings of this
study and previous research might be attributable to the uniqueness of the South African
population.
, 4
Introduction:
Adolescent development has long been a topic of research and discussion. When analysing
how a mature person came to be, different aspects of development are studied – physical,
emotional, sexual, cognitive and moral to name a few. Moral development can be defined as
the process whereby an individual’s judgement is developed according to what is perceived
as right and wrong. This includes elements of adherence to societal laws and behaviour
toward others (Ebersöhn, Gouws, Lewis & Theron, 2015). The purpose of this study is to
determine which factors influence the moral development of South African adolescents. The
rresearch problem addresses the psychosocial (familial relationships, identity-formation)
factors contributing to moral development during adolescence. A mixed-methods research
design was utilized to determine the relationship between moral development and gender,
identity-formation, maternal relationships and internalization of parental values. A
questionnaire consisting of a qualitative and a quantitative section was administered to a total
of 1828 participants from various parts of South Africa. Pearson’s product-moment
correlation and T-tests were used to analyse the data. The findings were compared to the
literature review and previous studies.
Literature Review: Moral development as a key developmental issue during adolescence
Different views regarding moral development
Kohlberg:
Undoubtedly the most influential theory in the field, Kohlberg’s stages of moral development
have long informed our understanding of moral development through childhood as well as
providing a framework for further study on this topic. Kohlberg identified three levels of
moral development, each with two stages. According to Kohlberg (1971) development of
morality according to this theory follows an invariant sequence – all stages are achieved in a
