THE REDUCTION OF REPARATION INTO ITS COMP ONENTS

The effect of reparation for harm might consist of an additive combina tion of apology and compensation, if it makes no difference whether th e doer makes the reparation himself or the wrong involved third party compensates for the damages. Preschool, elementary childrens and adult s rated varied stories about a ''theft of sweeties'' which happened kn owingly or erroneously. The moral judgments of all groups were more fa vorable when the wrongdoer provided reparation than when a third party compensated for the loss. The differences were similar in all age gro ups. But combined with the wrongdoer condition there was a specific ag e dependent effect of damage. Therefore, making reparation is not a si mple summative combination of its components, apology and compensation . The results also underlined the civil law assumption of an developme ntally early understanding of the duty of compensation. Finally, the e ffect of the intent correspondingly increased with age. A formal rule explaining the results is discussed.