Explanation of Juvenile Delinquency - The Integration of Moral-Reasoning Theory and Sociological Knowledge (From Personality Theory, Moral Developments and Criminal Behavior, P 385-409, 1983, William S Laufer and James M Day, ed. - See NCJ-91449)

• NCJ Number: 91464
• Author(s): M Morash
• Date Published: 1983
• Length: 25 pages
• Sale Source: Lexington Books
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study integrates the following models of moral reasoning with key sociological propositions to explain delinquency: (1) Kohlberg's stages of moral reasoning, (2) Gilligan's revision of Kohlberg's stages, and (3) Haan's model of moral structure.

Abstract

Kohlberg developed a strong argument that moral reasoning about rules and laws rather than values explain behavior. In recent thinking, however, moral reasoning is abandoned as the sole determinant of behavior; moral reasoning, situational variations, and other personal variations are viewed as interacting to produce behavior. In addition to abandoning the univariate explanation of delinquency, the content of moral reasoning should be expanded to include the other-oriented reasoning (sensitivity to the feelings and circumstances of others) that Gilligan and Haan have emphasized. Some sociological principles that require consideration are that (1) both other-oriented reasoning and abstract reasoning insulate adolescents from social and personal pressures to break the law and (2) peers are an important source of direct social pressure to break the law for even youths at the conventional level of reasoning. Using the framework proposed, it is possible to explain repeated and serious delinquency, particularly against people and property. The most serious delinquency can be viewed as resulting from social conditions, primarily those that are enduring, that impinge on youths who possess the personality factors and the preconventional reasoning conducive to serious delinquent behavior. When abstract and other-oriented reasoning are considered to be insulation against social and personal pressures toward delinquency and the family and status of adolescents are identified as influences on the rate of development in reasoning, then it is possible to explain well-established patterns of delinquency. Implications for future research and correctional programs are discussed. Eighty-five references are provided.