Prosocial moral reasoning in institutionalized delinquent, orphaned, and noninstitutionalized brazilian adolescents

Gustavo Carlo, Silvia Koller, Nancy Eisenberg

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

21 Scopus citations

Abstract

Researchers have postulated sociocognitive differences between delinquent and nondelinquent youths. However, prior studies have examined differences in prohibitive moral reasoning, and no studies of prosocial moral reasoning have been conducted with orphaned adolescents or in countries other than the United States. We examined prosocial moral reasoning in Brazilian institutionalized delinquent, orphaned, and noninstitutionalized adolescents. Delinquent, relative to nondeliquent, adolescents were expected to be less likely to prefer higher level, internalized types of prosocial moral reasoning and more likely to prefer lower levels of prosocial moral reasoning. No specific hypotheses were made regarding prosocial moral reasoning in orphaned adolescents. A total of 116 male and female Brazilian adolescents (38 delinquent, 38 orphaned, and 40 noninstitutionalized adolescents) were administered an objective measure of prosocial moral reasoning (PROM). In general, the main hypotheses were supported, and gender differences were found. Discussion focused on the correlates of prosocial moral reasoning and institutionalization in adolescence.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)363-376
Number of pages14
JournalJournal of Adolescent Research
Volume13
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 1998
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Developmental and Educational Psychology
  • Sociology and Political Science

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Prosocial moral reasoning in institutionalized delinquent, orphaned, and noninstitutionalized brazilian adolescents'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this