Conceptualization of conscience in normal children and adolescents, ages 5 to 17

In order to determine how normal children and adolescents conceptualize their conscience, the Stilwell Conscience Interview was given to 125 normal subjects between the ages of 5 and 17. Responses to questions 1, 2 and 11 (including the drawing of conscience) were empirically analyzed, resulting in a five-stage developmental model. The responses were then randomly presented to two blinded raters to assign them to one of the five stages. Highly acceptable interrater reliability was found, Kappa = 0.90. The relationship of age to stage demonstrated a highly significant positive correlation, indicating that the conceptualization of conscience in normal development follows an invariant, hierarchical pattern of organization. A commentary regarding each stage is presented. The value of this conceptualization model as a comparative standard of normality in the clinical assessment of youngsters suffering from psychopathology is discussed relative to assessment, psychotherapy, and future research.