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Related Experiment Videos

Adolescents' attachment representations and moral reasoning

M H van Ijzendoorn1, H A Zwart-Woudstra

  • 1Center for Child and Family Studies, Leiden University, The Netherlands.

The Journal of Genetic Psychology
|September 1, 1995
PubMed
Summary

Autonomous attachment, a secure way of relating to others, is linked to more advanced moral reasoning in adolescents. This finding suggests attachment styles are foundational to ethical development.

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Area of Science:

  • Psychology
  • Developmental Psychology
  • Moral Psychology

Background:

  • Attachment theory explores how early relationships influence adult functioning.
  • Moral reasoning development is crucial for social and ethical behavior.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between attachment representation and moral reasoning in adolescents.
  • To test the hypothesis that autonomous attachment facilitates higher levels of moral reasoning.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized the Adult Attachment Interview (AAI) to assess attachment representation.
  • Employed the Sociomoral Reflection Measure-Short Form (SRM-SF) to evaluate moral reasoning.
  • Analyzed data from 47 U.S. college students.

Main Results:

  • No overall association was found between general sociomoral reflection scores and attachment representation.
  • Adolescents with an autonomous attachment representation showed a higher prevalence of Type B moral reasoning.
  • Autonomous attachment appears to be a key factor in mature moral reasoning.

Conclusions:

  • Autonomous attachment is a significant correlate of advanced moral reasoning.
  • Findings support the integration of attachment theory and moral development research.
  • Future research should explore the mechanisms linking secure attachment to ethical cognition.

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