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Developing Morality, Competence, and Sociability in Adolescence: A Longitudinal Study of Gender Differences
Elisabetta Crocetti1, Silvia Moscatelli2, Goda Kaniušonytė3
1Alma Mater Studiorum Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy. elisabetta.crocetti@unibo.it.
Journal of Youth and Adolescence
|February 20, 2019
Summary
Adolescent social judgment dimensions like morality and competence develop differently by gender. Females show increases, while males show decreases over time.
Area of Science:
- Social psychology
- Developmental psychology
- Adolescent psychology
Background:
- Morality, competence, and sociability are key dimensions of social judgment.
- Adolescent self-perception in these areas impacts relationships and social contexts.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the developmental trajectories of morality, competence, and sociability in adolescents.
- To investigate gender differences in the development of these social judgment dimensions.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal study with 916 adolescents (51.4% girls, mean age 15.64 years).
- Three annual assessments over three waves.
- Analysis of self-reported perceptions of morality, competence, and sociability.
Main Results:
- Females reported increasing morality and competence over time.
- Males reported decreasing levels in all three dimensions (morality, competence, sociability).
- Females exhibited greater consistency in the configuration of these dimensions.
Conclusions:
- Adolescent development of social judgment dimensions shows significant gender differences.
- Individual differences in these dimensions are established early in adolescence.
- Understanding these developmental changes is crucial for adolescent social adjustment.
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