Social moral reasoning in Chinese children: A developmental study

Abstract

Abstract The present study investigated developmental changes in moral reasoning about sibling and parental relationships in Mainland Chinese children. More specifically, motives of a protagonist with conflicting obligations in the family were examined. Results suggested universal stage‐like progression in moral judgment from superficial (stages 1 and 2) to profound (stage 3). However, culture‐specific moral reasoning also existed. For example, in comparison to children in Kohlberg's studies, Chinese children's moral decisions emphasized respect for authority, altruism, and concern over their sibling's moral correctness. The authors argued that Chinese children's moral characteristics are influenced by the cultural context. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Psychol Schs 40: 125–138, 2003.