Age differences in moral foundations across adolescence and adulthood

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Tezin Türü: Yüksek Lisans

Tezin Yürütüldüğü Kurum: Orta Doğu Teknik Üniversitesi, Fen Edebiyat Fakültesi, Psikoloji Bölümü, Türkiye

Tezin Onay Tarihi: 2015

Öğrenci: ECE SAĞEL

Danışman: EMRE SELÇUK

Özet:

In this study, age-related changes in moral foundations (i.e., individualizing and binding foundations) across adolescence and adulthood were examined. It was anticipated that the influence of individualizing foundations on moral judgment would increase with age from adolescence to adulthood and then, it would have relatively stable pattern in late adulthood. Moreover, it is expected that both adolescents and middle adults would have higher concerns about the binding foundation in their moral judgment than emerging and late adults. Participants (N= 971), aged between 14 and 87, filled out a questionnaire package including study measurements namely Moral Foundations Questionnaire and Demographic form. There were significant age differences in moral foundations. It was found that individualizing foundations’ importance on individuals’ moral judgment increased from adolescence to middle adulthood and remained relatively stable in late adulthood. Furthermore, high concern about the binding foundation in adolescence decreased in emerging adulthood and then increased from the end of young adulthood to old age. Once again, the importance of the binding foundation decreased in the middle of the late adulthood. The findings of the study, the implications of the results, and future research directions were also discussed.