College Students' Moral Reasoning with Regard to Shoplifting and Test Cheating
College Students' Moral Reasoning with Regard to Shoplifting and Test Cheating
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Issue Date
2010
Authors
Constantine, Cozima
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Abstract
Ten students at a private university voluntarily participated in two measures relating to moral dilemmas. The first measure was the Sociomoral Reflection Measure-Short Form, an 11-question measure that ascertains an individual's overall moral stage as well as assesses moral reasoning in each of the following categories: a) Contract and Truth, b) Affiliation, c) Life, d) Property and Law, and e) Legal Justice. The second measure, the Opinion Questionnaire, was designed specifically for this study. The 15-statement opinion questionnaire was based on a 5-point Likert scale and was subdivided into three areas of moral-ethical concern: a) stealing, b) cheating, and c) peer relations. The findings of this research suggest a positive association between disapproving opinions towards shoplifting and test cheating and higher moral judgment. This study supports previous studies' findings that moral maturity is associated with age and peer relations influence an individual's opinions and decision-making.