Psychology
The Cultural-Developmental Theory of Moral Psychology: A New Synthesis
Document Type
Book Chapter
Abstract
On the basis of both developmental and cultural findings from diverse research traditions, this chapter proposes a cultural-developmental approach to moral psychology. It introduces a concept termed a "cultural-developmental template," which charts developmental patterns across the life course for moral reasoning in terms of the three ethics: Ethics of Autonomy, Community, and Divinity. The template, however, is not onesize-fits-all. Its general developmental patterns accommodate the different constellations of ethics held by culturally diverse peoples. From this theoretical proposal follows a set of specific research expectations as well as a set of broader research implications for how to conduct research on morality from the vantage points of both culture and development.These expectations and implications include consideration of moral emotions, definitions of morality, and cultural variation in the life course itself. From the model follows suggestions for policy.
Publication Title
Bridging Cultural and Developmental Approaches to Psychology: New Syntheses in Theory, Research, and Policy
Publication Date
2011
First Page
3
Last Page
25
ISBN
9780199827176,9780195383430
DOI
10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195383430.003.0001
Keywords
cognitive-developmental, cultural-developmental template, culture, moral domains, moral emotions, moral orientations, moral reasoning, three ethics
Repository Citation
Jensen, Lene Arnett, "The Cultural-Developmental Theory of Moral Psychology: A New Synthesis" (2011). Psychology. 840.
https://commons.clarku.edu/faculty_psychology/840