Moral reasoning and delinquent behaviour among students

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Criminology
• Moral Development

Background:

• The Defining Issues Test (DIT) by Rest (1975) is used to measure moral reasoning.
• Previous research has explored the link between moral reasoning and delinquent behavior.
• The interpretation of DIT scores, particularly regarding political orientation versus developmental stage, remains a subject of discussion.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between student delinquency and moral reasoning scores as measured by Rest's Defining Issues Test (DIT).
• To determine if DIT scores reflect political orientation or genuine developmental differences in moral reasoning in relation to delinquency.
• To examine gender differences in the correlation between delinquency and specific moral reasoning stages.

Main Methods:

• A sample of students was assessed for delinquency and moral reasoning using Rest's DIT.
• Statistical analyses, including correlation, were employed to examine the relationships between variables.
• Data were analyzed separately for males and females to identify potential gender-specific patterns.

Main Results:

• The study found correlations between delinquency and DIT scores that align with the interpretation of scores reflecting political orientation.
• More serious delinquency was positively correlated with principled reasoning in females (P < 0.05).
• More serious delinquency was negatively correlated with Stage 4 reasoning in males (P < 0.02).

Conclusions:

• The findings suggest that moral reasoning scores, as measured by the DIT, may be influenced by political orientation rather than solely reflecting developmental progression.
• Gender appears to moderate the relationship between delinquency and specific moral reasoning constructs.
• Further research is warranted to fully understand the complex interplay between moral reasoning, political views, and delinquent behavior across genders.