Developmental Stages of Age and Moral Reasoning as Predictors of Juvenile Delinquents' Behavioral Intention to Steal Clothing

Abstract

This study explored juvenile delinquents' moral reasoning and behavioral intention to steal clothing using age group and the aligned theories of planned behavior and cognitive developmental moralization. Participants (n = 100) were preteen and teen first‐time theft/shoplifting offenders participating in a diversion program aimed at preventing future offenses. Factor analysis revealed three strongly correlated dimensions of moral reasoning: risk and need (preconventional ethics), and peers (conventional ethics). Multiple regressions predicted positive moral reasoning that justified stealing clothing for risk, need, and peers by preteens but not teens. Risk and need, but not peers or age group, predicted behavioral intention to steal clothing. Adevelopmental shift existed from preteens to teens in their moral reasoning to steal clothing. Juvenile delinquents that identified with preconventional ethics exhibited behavioral intention to steal clothing.

Reading prosocial content in books and adolescents’ prosocial behavior: A moderated mediation model with evidence from China

“…Different components of moral development, such as moral judgment, moral reasoning, theory of mind, and antisocial behavior, are all correlated with age ( McDonald and Stuart-Hamilton, 1996 ; Happé et al, 1998 ; Forney et al, 2005 ; Heiphetz and Liane, 2014 ). Krettenauer and Victor (2017) discuss moral identity as a developmental construct that grows with age, and Kingsford et al (2018) highlight the significance of developmental issues in moral identity emergence.…”

Self‐Concepts and Self‐Worth as Predictors of Self‐Perception of Morality: Implications for Delinquent Risk Behavior Associated With Shoplifting

“…Delinquent behavior is linked to adolescent moral belief. However, in aligning motivations to steal clothing with stages of moral reasoning, W. S. Forney, Forney, and Crutsinger (2005) found that peer pressure was not a sufficient motivation for adjudicated juvenile delinquents to judge stealing clothing as a morally acceptable behavior. Furthermore, they found a weakening of moral beliefs, delinquent behavior, and involvement with delinquent peers had reciprocal effects so that over time they created a harmful developmental path to more serious delinquent risk behavior.…”

“…Furthermore, they found a weakening of moral beliefs, delinquent behavior, and involvement with delinquent peers had reciprocal effects so that over time they created a harmful developmental path to more serious delinquent risk behavior. However, in aligning motivations to steal clothing with stages of moral reasoning, W. S. Forney, Forney, and Crutsinger (2005) found that peer pressure was not a sufficient motivation for adjudicated juvenile delinquents to judge stealing clothing as a morally acceptable behavior. Steinberg and Morris (2001) suggested that parents influence adolescent moral values more, whereas peers influence superficial concerns such as clothing and music preferences.…”

Evaluation of the use of an academic integrity training course as a proactive measure encouraging academic honesty

“…Morals, the principles one uses to determine correct conduct, are derived from a person's values, virtues, and cognitive skills (Blimling, 1998). Moral reasoning, the application of these moral principles or ethical standards, assists an individual in resolving ambiguous moral dilemmas (Forney, Forney, & Crutsinger, 2005).…”