NCJ Number
101803
Journal
Australian and New Zealand Journal of Criminology Volume: 19 Issue: 1 Dated: (March 1986) Pages: 53-64
Date Published
1986
Length
11 pages
Annotation
This article reviews research into moral and cognitive development in delinquent and nondelinquent populations, factors influencing moral development, and the efficacy of moral development interventions.
Abstract
Overall, research indicates that moral development tends to be less advanced in delinquent than nondelinquent populations even when mental age and other cognitive variables are held constant. While development in moral reasoning does take place in delinquents, it tends to be less rapid and less extensive than in nondelinquents. Family background appears to be important in delinquents' attenuated moral development, with such families showing lower moral sophistication, conflicting interaction patterns, and different disciplinary techniques. Delinquent peer groups appear to reinforce deviant value systems. Other research has shown that learning disabilities and lower cognitive reasoning skills are features of delinquent populations. Some inconsistencies among studies may be attributable to the heterogenous nature of the delinquent population or methodological problems. Research on differences in moral development in adult criminal and noncriminal populations has not produced such clear results. While the incidence of mental retardation has been found to be high in adult prison populations, no studies have examined the possible relationships among retardation, moral development, and criminality. Treatment and rehabilitation programs to improve moral reasoning have not been overwhelmingly successful, and those that have been were multifactorial and behaviorally based. 61 notes.