Date of Award

9-19-2019

Publication Type

Master Thesis

Degree Name

M.A.

Department

Psychology

Keywords

Delinquent Behaviour, Moral Cognitions, Moral Reasoning

Supervisor

Langton, C.

Rights

info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess

Abstract

In an attempt to understand how moral cognitions influence individual’s choices to engage in antisocial behaviours, Barriga et al. (2001) created a cognitive developmental model. The main goal of the present study was to replicate Barriga’s et al. (2001) updated model (Beerthuizen & Brugman, 2013) and extend their work by applying the model to sexually coercive behaviours. To investigate these associations, 123 participants completed online questionnaires that measured moral value evaluation, moral reasoning, moral identity, criminogenic cognitions and self-reported delinquent behaviours, including sexually coercive behaviours. Additionally, hostile attitudes towards men/women and desirable responding where measured and were used as control variables. Results showed that moral value evaluation was completely mediated by moral reasoning, more identity, and criminogenic cognitions. Additionally, criminogenic cognitions had a significant direct effect on deviant behaviours. The secondary goal of the current study was to gain insight into the concurrent validity of a relatively new recognition moral reasoning measure the SRM-SFO (Basinger et al., 2007) by comparing it to a well-established production moral reasoning measure the SRM-SF (Gibbs et al., 1992). Results demonstrated a weak non-significant relation between the two moral reasoning measures.

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