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Measuring morality in infancy: A scoping methodological review

Published version
Peer-reviewed

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Authors

Murray, AL 
Skinner, G 
Janiczek, E 

Abstract

jats:titleAbstract</jats:title>jats:sec<jats:label />jats:pWe conducted a scoping review of methods that have been used to measure infants' (under age 2) moral development. We aimed to assess the state of knowledge through a thematic overview of the methodologies that have been used and the specific constructs studied. We found that the majority of studies used an experimental methodology, and within this, infants' actual behaviour and their evaluations were the most common sources of information. An evidence map depicting concept delineation between studies and presenting concepts as related to an underlying moral sense, as prosocial (emotion and behaviour), and as antisocial components (emotion and behaviour) is provided. Just under one‐third of studies were longitudinal, and a high percentage reported a statistically significant longitudinal relation for moral development. Results highlight a need for measures that can be used longitudinally at different stages of development so that trajectories can be observed and mapped to behavioural outcomes, such as conduct problems.</jats:p></jats:sec>

Description

Funder: Isaac Newton Trust; Id: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100004815

Keywords

5204 Cognitive and Computational Psychology, 52 Psychology, 2 Aetiology, 2.3 Psychological, social and economic factors

Journal Title

Infant and Child Development

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

1522-7227
1522-7219

Volume Title

Publisher

Wiley