Individual moral judgment and cultural ideologies

Darcia Narvaez, Irene Getz, James R. Rest, Stephen J. Thoma
1999 Developmental Psychology  
Moral judgment cannot be reduced to cultural ideology, or vice versa. But when each construct is measured separately, then combined, the product predicts powerfully to moral thinking. In Study 1, 2 churches (N = 96) were selected for their differences on religious ideology, political identity, and moral judgment. By combining these 3 variables, a multiple correlation of .79 predicted to members' moral thinking (opinions on human rights issues). Study 2 replicated this finding in a secular
more » ... , with the formula established in Study 1 (R = .11). Individual conceptual development in moral judgment and socialization into cultural ideology co-occur, simultaneously and reciprocally, in parallel, and not serially. Individual development in moral judgment provides the epistemological categories for cultural ideology, which in turn influences the course of moral judgment, to produce moral thinking (e.g., opinions about abortion, free speech).
doi:10.1037//0012-1649.35.2.478 pmid:10082018 fatcat:nfnt2mgupzdbhiytpz3pdktq3u