Did I Inherit My Moral Compass? Examining Socialization and Evocative Mechanisms for Virtuous Character Development

Abstract

Virtuous character development in children is correlated with parenting behavior, but the role of genetic influences in this association has not been examined. Using a longitudinal twin/sibling study (N = 720; Time 1 (T1) Mage = 12-14 years, Time 3 (T3) Mage = 25-27 years), the current report examines associations among parental negativity/positivity and offspring responsibility during adolescence, and subsequent young adult conscientiousness. Findings indicate that associations among parental negativity and offspring virtuous character during adolescence and young adulthood are due primarily to heritable influences. In contrast, the association between concurrent parental positivity and adolescent responsibility was due primarily to heritable and shared environmental influences. These findings underscore the contributions of heritable influences to the associations between parenting and virtuous character that have previously been assumed to be only environmentally influenced, emphasizing the complexity of mechanisms involved in the development of virtuous character.

Parental and School Influences on Character Attributes Among Chinese Adolescents

“…For example, behavioral control and support promote self-regulation in daily conduct and open discussions about rules and responsibilities within a context of intimate emotional connections (62,63). Taken together, positive parenting behaviors are constructive building blocks for character development among children (64,65).…”

Moral Reasoning of College-Educated Individuals from The United States in Relation to the Recent Sociopolitical Issues and with the Focus on Kohlberg’s Theory of Moral Reasoning

“…An experimental research studies by Ben-Ami et al (2011), Blystad et al (2019), Sato et al (2015 revealed results that rats can show empathy towards other rats that are trapped and are in some type of discomfort and that they are likely to share food with them supporting arguments that empathy and prosocial behavior have biological roots. Another insight into the hereditary nature of biological characteristics that shape morality is provided by Ramos et al (2019), who suggest, that parenting is associated with character behavior among adolescence through heritable and environmental pathways. The same research study revealed results suggesting that parental negativity was associated with virtuous characters through heritable pathways but not environmental pathways whereas the parental positivity was associated with virtuous character through both heritable and environmental pathways (Ramos et al, 2019).…”

“…Another insight into the hereditary nature of biological characteristics that shape morality is provided by Ramos et al (2019), who suggest, that parenting is associated with character behavior among adolescence through heritable and environmental pathways. The same research study revealed results suggesting that parental negativity was associated with virtuous characters through heritable pathways but not environmental pathways whereas the parental positivity was associated with virtuous character through both heritable and environmental pathways (Ramos et al, 2019). The findings of Ramos et al (2019) may also be in agreement with the argument presents by Dahl et al (2011) that moral concerns are linked to emotions and emotional development that are also linked to parental encouragement during the early childhood.…”

Parenting as an Antecedent to Ethical Leadership: A Review of Literature

“…Ethics are closely related to the leaders' moral development. Hereditary factors have been shown to influence the development of morals such that some people out of their genetic connections, for example, certain lineages appear more inclined to act ethically or unethically (Baumrind, 1967;Groenendyk & Volling, 2007;Neiderhiser et al, 2007;Ramos et al, 2019;Reiss et al, 2000). Hereditary factors have been seen to be part of environmental factors in some cases while in others they are seen as distinct.…”

“…Hereditary factors have been seen to be part of environmental factors in some cases while in others they are seen as distinct. Cowell and Decety (2015), Martinez et al (2020), and Ramos et al (2019) advance that environmental factors including culture influence the development of morality. Role models have also been shown to shape morality (Seroussi & Yaffe, 2020;Van Stekelenburg, 2020).…”