Applying Neopiagetian Theory to the Moral Reasoning Process
This study examined moral reasoning process and patterns of skills underlying a moral dilemma through use of K. W. Fischer's theory for cognitive skill acquisition. Kohlberg's Heinz dilemma issues of life and law were hypothesized as scalable within task-domains pertaining to Familial Relationships, Sickness/Death, Laws/Rules, and Fairness. 80 4- to 12-yr.-olds were interviewed regarding these issues. Guttman scale analyses examined scalability of their responses to items in each task and skill domain. Guttman coefficients validated task-domain scales of Laws/Rules and Fairness. Other scale coefficients approached validity. A revised scale is proposed for study.