'Developing Inclusive Youth': Children's Moral Reasoning Predicts Inclusive Orientations
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| Title: | 'Developing Inclusive Youth': Children's Moral Reasoning Predicts Inclusive Orientations |
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| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Kathryn M. Yee (ORCID |
| Source: | Social Psychology of Education: An International Journal. 2025 28(1). |
| Availability: | Springer. Available from: Springer Nature. One New York Plaza, Suite 4600, New York, NY 10004. Tel: 800-777-4643; Tel: 212-460-1500; Fax: 212-460-1700; e-mail: customerservice@springernature.com; Web site: https://link.springer.com/ |
| Peer Reviewed: | Y |
| Page Count: | 20 |
| Publication Date: | 2025 |
| Sponsoring Agency: | National Science Foundation (NSF), Division of Behavioral and Cognitive Sciences (BCS) National Institutes of Health (NIH) (DHHS) |
| Contract Number: | 1728918 R01HD093698 |
| Document Type: | Journal Articles Reports - Research |
| Education Level: | Elementary Education Early Childhood Education Grade 3 Primary Education Grade 4 Intermediate Grades Grade 5 Middle Schools |
| Descriptors: | Moral Values, Logical Thinking, Inclusion, Student Attitudes, Elementary School Students, Grade 3, Grade 4, Grade 5, Empathy, Peer Relationship, Racial Relations, Gender Differences, Racial Differences, Age Differences, Web Based Instruction, Vignettes, Discussion (Teaching Technique) |
| DOI: | 10.1007/s11218-025-10117-6 |
| ISSN: | 1381-2890 1573-1928 |
| Abstract: | This study examined how children's moral reasoning in response to intergroup exclusion scenarios relates to inclusive attitudes and behaviors. A sample of 528 students (M[subscript age] = 9.19, SD = 0.90; 264 girls) in third through fifth grade participated in the "Developing Inclusive Youth" (DIY) program, which provided structured opportunities for moral reasoning through varied intergroup scenarios and peer discussions. Results showed that more frequent use of moral reasoning predicted greater inclusivity across multiple measures. Children who engaged in higher levels of moral reasoning demonstrated more negative evaluations of exclusion, greater empathy toward peers from multiple racial groups, and a stronger desire to play with those peers. However, moral reasoning was not significantly associated with expectations for inclusion or with attitudes toward boys or girls. No significant interactions emerged between moral reasoning and participant demographics (race, gender, grade), suggesting broadly applicable effects. These findings highlight moral reasoning as a key mechanism for promoting inclusive orientations in childhood, particularly in contexts involving racial diversity. Future research should explore how moral reasoning interacts with other factors, such as empathy, perspective-taking, and group norms, to support inclusivity across social contexts. |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Entry Date: | 2025 |
| Accession Number: | EJ1479612 |
| Database: | ERIC |
| Abstract: | This study examined how children's moral reasoning in response to intergroup exclusion scenarios relates to inclusive attitudes and behaviors. A sample of 528 students (M[subscript age] = 9.19, SD = 0.90; 264 girls) in third through fifth grade participated in the "Developing Inclusive Youth" (DIY) program, which provided structured opportunities for moral reasoning through varied intergroup scenarios and peer discussions. Results showed that more frequent use of moral reasoning predicted greater inclusivity across multiple measures. Children who engaged in higher levels of moral reasoning demonstrated more negative evaluations of exclusion, greater empathy toward peers from multiple racial groups, and a stronger desire to play with those peers. However, moral reasoning was not significantly associated with expectations for inclusion or with attitudes toward boys or girls. No significant interactions emerged between moral reasoning and participant demographics (race, gender, grade), suggesting broadly applicable effects. These findings highlight moral reasoning as a key mechanism for promoting inclusive orientations in childhood, particularly in contexts involving racial diversity. Future research should explore how moral reasoning interacts with other factors, such as empathy, perspective-taking, and group norms, to support inclusivity across social contexts. |
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| ISSN: | 1381-2890 1573-1928 |
| DOI: | 10.1007/s11218-025-10117-6 |
