An Exploratory Inquiry into the Multi-Factor Theory of Moral Behavior Applied to Values Education.

Reported research uses stepwise multiple regression analyses to generate regression equations for 60 school age subjects with choice of right action and stage of moral reasoning on moral dilemmas as the dependent variables. Age, IQ, socioeconomic status, awareness of consequences, empathy, and mean moral maturity scores were used as predictor variables. The purpose of the research was to find which, if any, of the independent variables identified are statistically significant predictors of stage of moral reasoning and choice of right action, and what portion of the variance in the dependent variables is explained by the successive contribution of the independent variable. Stage of moral reasoning was assessed on four separate clusters of moral dilemmas using an interview schedule, tape recording, and scoring of transcript according to procedures developed by Kohlberg. Choice of right action was determined by asking the subjects the right thing to do in each moral dilemma. Results showed that, although the amounts of variance explained were small, age and empathy were the primary predictors for stage of moral reasoning and biographic variables were the primary predictor variables for choice on moral dilemmas. Implications of the findings for further research and curriculum are discussed. Tables and references are included. (KSM)