Moral Development, Self, and Identity [Hardcover]

Daniel K. Lapsley (Editor), Darcia Narvaez (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 8, 2004 | ISBN-10: 0805842861 | ISBN-13: 978-0805842869

This volume examines the psychological, social-relational, and cultural foundations of the most basic moral commitments. It begins by looking at the seminal writings of Augusto Blasi, whose writings on moral cognition, the development of self-identity, and moral personality have transformed the research agenda in moral psychology. This work is now the starting point of all discussion about the relationship between self and morality; the developmental grounding of the moral personality; and the moral integration of cognition, emotion, and behavior. Indeed, it is now widely believed that organizing self-understanding around basic moral commitments is crucial to the formation of a moral identity which, in turn, underwrites moral conduct. Using Blasi's work as a point of departure, a distinguished interdisciplinary and international group of scholars have contributed essays summarizing their own theoretical and empirical research on these topics.


This book features new theories of moral functioning that range across several psychological literatures, including social cognition, cognitive science, and personality development. Examining the social-relational, communitarian, and cultural aspects of moral self-identity, it provides a comprehensive account of moral personality. Uniformly integrative, field-expanding, and on the cutting edge of research on moral development and personality, the book appeals to scholars, developmental theorists and graduate students interested in issues of moral development, education, and behavior, as well as cognitive development theory.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Anyone interested in the roots of moral development will find this a useful guide to the new theoretical orientations in this expanding field. The book is geared to those familiar with the basic foundations of moral development. Recommended."
—Choice

"This book features new theories of moral functioning that range across several psychological literatures....Examining the social-relational, communitarian, and cultural aspects of moral self-identity, it provides a comprenshive account of moral personality."
—Adolescence

"This work is now the starting point of all discussion about the relationship between self and morality....This book features new theories of moral functioning that range across several psychological literatures, including social cognition, cognitive science, and personality development....it provides a comprehensive account of moral personality."

—Family Therapy

"The editors did an excellent job formulating how moral development of the individual and the community takes great power and responsibility. This work provides an excellent examination into the relationship between moral development and the maturation of the self....an admirable view of contemporary research and questions concerning moral psychology. The information presented in this book regarding moral development could serve a wide variety of functions."

—Education Review

"The wide range of  topics broadens the readers base, as there is something for everyone; the book is both philosophical and psychological....the book contains a wealth of thought-provoking information and ideas, and it is a wonderful tribute to Augusto Blasi."

—Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics

Product Details

• Hardcover: 376 pages
• Publisher: Psychology Press (March 8, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0805842861
• ISBN-13: 978-0805842869
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #229,306 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Darcia Narvaez (Ph.D., Minnesota, 1993), associate professor in Psychology, specializes in moral development and character education. Previously the executive director of the University of Minnesota's Center for the study of Ethical Development, she directs the Collaborative for Ethical Education at the University of Notre Dame.

She has a blog at Psychology Today: https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/moral-landscapes/

She is co-author or co-editor of Moral Development in the Professions: Psychology and Applied Ethics (1994), Moral Personality, Identity and Character: Explorations in Moral Psychology (2009, with Lapsley), and the award-winning books: Postconventional Moral Thinking (1999, with Rest, Bebeau & Thoma), Moral development, self and identity (2004, with Lapsley) and the Handbook of Moral and Character Education (2008, with Nucci).

She has published various curriculum materials and was the leader of the design team for the Minnesota Community Voices and Character Education Project which she reported on at a Whitehouse conference.

She is developing integrative theories such as (1) school-based moral character development, Integrative Ethical Education; (2) the development of ethical virtue, Adaptive Ethical Expertise; and (3) a moral psychology theory that integrates neurobiology, evolutionary and cognitive sciences called Triune Ethics.