Journal of Psychology & Behavioral Science

Moral Development Across Lifespan: An Inquiry into Early Beginnings and Later Variations.
Sadguna Anasuri, Ph.D., CFLE

Abstract
Moral development has its roots early in life. Children are found to be bornwith a primary sense of right and wrong. As they grow and socialize, the experiences train their understanding of expectations, the reward, and punitive outcomes to them and others via their intentions and actions. Several researchers have investigated the onset and emergence of morality during the early years. Theorists vary in their perspectives: those who examine morality range in their explanations from infants being born with no moral sense (social learning and behaviorist theories), to those who believe humans are self-oriented, to those who believe that human reasoning abilities separate us from the rest of creation (cognitive development theories), and finally, to those who believe that humans beings are born with potentialities for moral actions. The current article examines the past literature on morality and its bidirectional influence on childhood and adolescent experiences and behaviors.

Full Text: PDF     DOI: 10.15640/jpbs.v9n2a8