MORAL JUDGEMENT DISCUSSION GROUPS -
IDIOSYNCRASIES OF THE BRAZILIAN CASE
Abstract
This paper describes a series of studies in which Kohlberg
and Blatt's group discussion technique was utilized with the purpose of
raising maturity of moral judgement. Subjects in Study I were 31 eighthgraders
of both sexes who showed significant gains from pre-test to
post-test. Study II has as subjects Education undergraduate students
who also showed gains in moral maturity. The most striking results
were a case of serendipity: Brazilian adolescents generally do not like
to discuss dilemmas brought by the experimenter or group discussion
coordinator. An attempt was made to elaborate a set of locallyrelevant
dilemmas after participating in the group discussions and after learning
the basics of Kohlberg's theory. Three of these dilemmas are reported
in full, for illustrative purposes.
The reluctance to accept ready-made dilemmas is discussed in
terms of previous findings of low incidence of Stage IV thinking among
Brazilians. The need for adaptation of the moral discussion technique
and analogous ones is emphasized.
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