Sex Differences in Moral Judgments? A Test of Gilligan's Theory

1987 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 37-46 ◽  
Author(s):  
William J. Friedman ◽  
Amy B. Robinson ◽  
Britt L. Friedman
Keyword(s):  
College Students ◽  
Sex Differences ◽  
Individual Differences ◽  
Moral Reasoning ◽  
Confidence Intervals ◽  
Moral Dilemmas ◽  
Moral Judgments ◽  
Personality Measures ◽  
Men And Women ◽  
Rank Orders

This study was designed to test Gilligan's (1982) claim that men and women differ in moral judgments. One hundred and one college students read four traditional moral dilemmas and rated the importance of 12 considerations for deciding how the protagonist should respond. Six of the statements were derived from the description by Kohlberg et al. (1978) of post-conventional moral reasoning, and six were derived from Gilligan's description of women's style of moral reasoning. Subjects also rated themselves on a measure of sex-typed personality attributes. There were no reliable sex differences on either of the types of moral reasoning, and confidence intervals allowed the rejection of all but negligible differences in the directions predicted by Gilligan's model. Furthermore, men and women showed highly similar rank orders of the items for each dilemma. The personality measures also failed to predict individual differences in moral judgments.

Sex Differences in Time Production Revisited

2012 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 35-42 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph Glicksohn ◽  
Yamit Hadad
Keyword(s):  
Sex Differences ◽  
Individual Differences ◽  
Sex Difference ◽  
Absolute Error ◽  
Internal Clock ◽  
Target Duration ◽  
Log P ◽  
Men And Women ◽  
Time Production ◽  
T Score

Individual differences in time production should indicate differences in the rate of functioning of an internal clock, assuming the existence of such a clock. And sex differences in time production should reflect a difference in the rate of functioning of that clock between men and women. One way of approaching the data is to compute individual regressions of produced duration (P) on target duration (T), after log transformation, and to derive estimates for the intercept and the slope. One could investigate a sex difference by comparing these estimates for men and women; one could also contrast them by looking at mean log(P). Using such indices, we found a sex difference in time production, female participants having a relatively faster internal clock, making shorter time productions, and having a smaller exponent. The question is whether a sex difference in time production would be found using other methods for analyzing the data: (1) the P/T ratio; (2) an absolute discrepancy (|P-T|) score; and (3) an absolute error (|P-T|/T) score. For the P/T ratio, female participants have a lower mean ratio in comparison to the male participants. In contrast, the |P-T| and |P-T|/T indices seem to be seriously compromised by wide individual differences.

Individual Differences in Valuing Mates' Physical Attractiveness

2006 ◽  
Vol 99 (2) ◽  
pp. 502-511
Author(s):  
Eugene W. Mathes ◽  
Abby Bielser ◽  
Ticcarra Cassell ◽  
Sarah Summers ◽  
Aggie Witowski
Keyword(s):  
College Students ◽  
Individual Differences ◽  
Evolutionary Theory ◽  
Physical Attractiveness ◽  
Men And Women ◽  
Women College Students

To investigate correlates of valuing physical attractiveness in a mate, it was hypothesized that valuing physical attractiveness in a mate would correlate with sex and valuing promiscuous sex, status, personal physical attractiveness, beauty, and order. Men and women college students completed measures of the extent to which they valued physical attractiveness in a mate and other variables. Valuing physical attractiveness in a mate was correlated with sex (men valued physical attractiveness in a mate more than did women) and valuing promiscuous sex and status, and, for women, valuing personal physical attractiveness. The results were explained in terms of evolutionary theory.

Controlled Exertion of Force by Developmentally Delayed Young Men and Women

2005 ◽  
Vol 101 (2) ◽  
pp. 487-497
Author(s):  
Yoshinori Nagasawa ◽  
Shinichi Demura
Keyword(s):  
Sex Differences ◽  
Individual Differences ◽  
Young People ◽  
Voluntary Movement ◽  
Large Individual ◽  
Developmentally Delayed ◽  
Men And Women ◽  
Function Test ◽  
Delayed Group ◽  
Movement Function

Present purposes were to examine the characteristics of controlled force exertion in 28 developmentally delayed young people (14 men, 14 women), and sex differences compared to 28 normal young students (14 men, 14 women). The subjects matched their submaximal grip strength to changing demand values displayed in a bar chart on the display of a personal computer. The total sum of the differences between the demand value and grip exertion value for 25 sec. was used as an evaluation parameter for the test. The controlled force exertion was significantly poorer for the developmentally delayed group than for controls, and there were large individual differences. The developmentally delayed men scored poorer than women in coordination. Like the controls, the means between trials did not decrease significantly. For these developmentally delayed subjects, performance did not improve after only a few trials. The controlled force-exertion test is useful as a voluntary movement-function test for developmentally delayed subjects.

Psychological Aspects of Sex Differences in Moral Reasoning

1991 ◽  
Vol 68 (3_suppl) ◽  
pp. 1239-1242
Author(s):  
Tuntufye S. Mwamwenda
Keyword(s):  
Sex Differences ◽  
Moral Reasoning ◽  
Psychological Aspects ◽  
Child Rearing ◽  
Men And Women

Psychologists, such as Freud, Piaget, and Kohlberg, have indicated that there are sex differences in moral reasoning of men and women. Generally men's moral reasoning is more advanced than that of women. This is attributed to various factors such as culture and over-all child-rearing practices which include greater expectation of men than of women. Despite this conclusion, it is doubtful whether some assessments of women's moral reasoning are accurate and fair.

Age, Education, and Sex Effects on Adult Moral Reasoning

1988 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
pp. 271-281 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles B. White
Keyword(s):  
Moral Development ◽  
Moral Reasoning ◽  
Scoring System ◽  
Moral Dilemmas ◽  
Moral Judgments ◽  
Stage Theory ◽  
Sex Effects ◽  
Individual Interviews ◽  
Effect Of Age

The role of age and education in adult moral reasoning was examined utilizing Kohlberg's cognitive-developmental stage theory of moral development and the most recent Standard Scoring System for assessing moral judgments. Individual interviews utilizing standard Kohlberg moral dilemmas were conducted with 195 adults ranging in age from nineteen to eighty-two years and in years of education from three to twenty-five years. Results indicated no overall significant effect for age of reasoner, no significant effect for sex, and a significant effect for education ( p < .01). However, the effect of age was significant in the group with eighteen or more years of education, but not in the group with less than eighteen years of education.

Sex Differences in the Relationship between Machiavellianism and Self-Disclosure

1978 ◽  
Vol 42 (3) ◽  
pp. 715-721 ◽  
Author(s):  
David E. Domelsmith ◽  
James T. Dietch
Keyword(s):  
College Students ◽  
Sex Differences ◽  
Negative Correlation ◽  
Self Disclosure ◽  
Men And Women ◽  
Willingness To Disclose ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
Individual Achievement ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Existing Data

Previous research suggests that there should be a negative correlation between Machiavellianism (Mach) and willingness to reveal things about oneself. However, existing data are unclear and contradictory, especially regarding differences between males and females. College students (48 male, 77 female) completed measures of both Machiavellianism and self-disclosure, and the two sets of scores were correlated. As expected, Mach was significantly correlated with unwillingness to self-disclose among males. For the females, however, Mach was significantly correlated with willingness to disclose. The two correlations are significantly different. Culturally defined differences in the goals of men and women may account for the results. According to current stereotypes, men are oriented toward individual achievement, while die goals of women are more “social,” being popular, nurturant, skilled at getting along with others, etc. Women who accept these goals and who are willing to employ manipulative (Machiavellian) tactics to achieve them could use self-disclosure effectively, while it would be an ineffective strategy for men.

Moral Reasoning and Moral Character: Relationships between the Kohlberg and the Hogan Models

1977 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
pp. 215-226 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard J. Haier
Keyword(s):  
College Students ◽  
Moral Reasoning ◽  
Moral Character ◽  
Moral Judgments ◽  
Alternative Measure ◽  
Empirical Relationships

The empirical relationships between Kohlberg's model of moral reasoning and Hogan's model of moral character were examined in 132 college students to test the hypothesis that moral judgments are a reflection of the structure of moral character. No relationships were found between measures of moral reasoning and measures of moral character. Kohlberg's measure of moral reasoning, however, was related to an alternative measure of moral reasoning ( r = .51, p < .01); moral character measures of empathy ( r = .40, p < .01) and socialization ( r = −.44, p < .01) were related to the use of marijuana as predicted. It was concluded that moral reasoning and moral character are empirically independent domains.

Gender and Generation Effects on Person Perception

1980 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 307-318 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kay C. Sharp ◽  
Sandra G. Candy ◽  
Lillian E. Troll
Keyword(s):  
College Students ◽  
Multivariate Analysis ◽  
Sex Differences ◽  
Analysis Of Variance ◽  
Generational Differences ◽  
Person Perception ◽  
Multivariate Analysis Of Variance ◽  
Men And Women ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The Way

It has been assumed that the characteristics of respondents, such as their sex, background and socialization experiences, would affect the way in which respondents perceive other persons. Sex differences have been found in college students, but generational differences have not been explored. The present study employed one hundred fifty men and women, of non-college background and of a wide range of ages, and permitted free responses in respondents' descriptions. The effect of gender and generation on the categories participants used to describe a known man and woman was examined. A multivariate analysis of variance indicated significance on both variables. However, subsequent one-way analyses of variance revealed that only a few categories were used differentially by men and women, or by the older, middle and younger generations.

scholarly journals Moral Reasoning Performance Determines Epistemic Peerdom

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
William H.B. McAuliffe ◽  
Michael E. McCullough
Keyword(s):  
Individual Differences ◽  
Moral Reasoning ◽  
Review Literature ◽  
Moral Knowledge ◽  
Moral Disagreement ◽  
Moral Judgments ◽  
Cognitive Reflection ◽  
Friendly Criticism

We offer a friendly criticism of May's fantastic book on moral reasoning: It is overly charitable to the argument that moral disagreement undermines moral knowledge. To highlight the role that reasoning quality plays in moral judgments, we review literature that he did not mention showing that individual differences in intelligence and cognitive reflection explain much of moral disagreement. The burden is on skeptics of moral knowledge to show that moral disagreement arises from non-rational origins.

scholarly journals Adolescent Concepts of Responsibility in Different Types of Moral Dilemmas

2017 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 81-90 ◽  
Author(s):  
S.V. Molchanov ◽  
O.V. Almazova
Keyword(s):  
Comparative Analysis ◽  
Empirical Study ◽  
Moral Reasoning ◽  
Moral Dilemma ◽  
Moral Dilemmas ◽  
Moral Judgments ◽  
Main Character ◽  
Moral Norms ◽  
Different Types ◽  
The Relationship

The paper presents results of an empirical study of adolescents' concepts of responsibility in different types of moral dilemmas characterized by violations of moral norms. The study proved that the type of moral dilemma and the context of interaction of its participants determine the adolescents' readiness to recognize the responsibility of the main character of the dilemma for violating the norm. In dilemmas of asocial type adolescents are more willing to recognize the responsibility of the offender whose behavior leads to obvious damage for one of the participants in the interaction. As for prosocial dilemmas and dilemmas of confronting norms, adolescents tend to deny the responsibility of the offender. The paper provides a comparative analysis of empirically identified types of adolescent concepts of responsibility, including the differentiated responsibility with egoistic orientation, high responsibility, low responsibility and ‘polar’ responsibility. The authors highlight the ambiguity of the relationship between adolescents’ evaluation of behavior, their readiness to recognize responsibility in moral transgression, and their judgment about the necessity of punishment. The paper concludes with the discussion concerning the relationship between the level of development of moral judgments/moral reasoning and the concepts of responsibility in adolescents.

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