Abstract
This study sought to explore the validity of a latent-factor model of moral intuition development during early adolescence. The 3-Factor Character Foundations Survey (CFS-3) was used to assess the moral intuitions of early adolescents (n = 850, mean = 12.4 years old, SD = 0.96) under a moral foundations theory framework. Confirmatory factor analysis supported the psychometric validity of the three latent factor constructs (autonomy, loyalty and empathy), and partial metric invariance was established to allow for the comparison of latent factor means between four age- and sex-based groups coinciding with averages for pubertal onset. Results support prior findings of greater latent factor means for females in all three factors when compared with males in the 11–12-year-old age group. Additionally, 13–14-year-old females exhibited lower latent factor means in autonomy and loyalty factors when compared with 11–12-year-old females. This resulted in 13–14-year-old females remaining higher in empathy and autonomy but showing no difference in loyalty when compared with 13–14-year-old males. The results are interpreted through the lens of attachment theory, socio-cultural influence and certain limitations of the survey instrument itself. Suggestions for future studies are proposed.
Description
This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0), which permits non-commercial re-use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided that no alterations are made and the original article is properly cited. The written permission of Cambridge University Press must be obtained prior to any commercial use and/or adaptation of the article. Copyright © The Author(s), 2022. Published by Cambridge University Press
Publisher
Cambridge University Press
Date of publication
7-2022
Language
english
Persistent identifier
http://hdl.handle.net/10950/4156
Document Type
Article
Recommended Citation
Bretl, Brandon and Goering, Marlon, "Age- and sex-based differences in the moral intuitions of American early adolescents" (2022). Education Faculty Publications and Presentations. Paper 32.
http://hdl.handle.net/10950/4156
Publisher Citation
Bretl, B., & Goering, M. (2022). Age- and sex-based differences in the moral intuitions of American early adolescents. Evolutionary Human Sciences, 4, E33. doi:10.1017/ehs.2022.34