THE DEVELOPMENT OF MORAL BELIEFS - A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY

The present study tested a model of moral belief development based on Erikson's (1963) and McAdams' (1989) theories of personality developme nt. The sequence of moral belief development is beliefs about outcomes , outcome certainty, beliefs about humanity, and social concern. The d evelopmental antecedents of these beliefs were measured using 13 ratio nally constructed scales based on background data items. The belief an d developmental scales were given to a sample of 246 undergraduates. U sing a series of hierarchical blocked regressions, we found a pattern among the beliefs that supported a stage or contingent sequence model of belief development. The results suggest that a supportive, conventi onal and consistent family environment is a major antecedent of belief s about outcomes and outcome certainty. Adjustment to the demands of a dult culture rather than peer culture is the major antecedent of belie f about humanity and social concern.