THE IMPROVEMENT OF MORAL DEVELOPMENT THROUGH AN INCREASE IN REFLECTION - A TRAINING-PROGRAM

In this study a training programme was implemented to increase reflect ivity in 13- and 14-year-old children in the 8th grade of a primary sc hool in Spain. We hoped to confirm that an increase in reflectivity wo uld promote moral development in these children. We did not use classi cal techniques for improving moral development (values clarification, moral dilemmas, etc.) but, rather, cognitive techniques to increase re flectivity-problem-solving, self-instruction, scanning strategies, and so on. We used Cairns and Cammock's Matching Familiar Figures Test (M FF20) (1978) and Rest's Defining Issues Test (DIT) (1986) as measuring instruments. As we had supposed prior to the intention, we succeeded in increasing reflectivity in the children in the experimental group i n comparison with those in the control group and, as a result, in sign ificantly improving their moral development in scores of post-conventi onal levels and in the P index. We think that this investigation opens new ways for interventions in the field of moral development.