Moral development occurs as the result of cognitive, social, and psychological factors and are deeply influenced by one’s family, culture, and experiences. Our sense of morality is crucial for our ability to show empathy and develop human relationships. However, the development of morality has been historically studied from a cognitive perspective, even though research has shown that human decision-making about morality is not a “cold” process; that is, it involves intuition and feeling, in addition to cognitive processes. Given the historical emphasis of cognition in studying morality, this section will examine the development of morality from a cognitive perspective. We will begin by examining the cognitive and social foundations necessary for humans to develop a sense of morality, and then we will examine theories of how morality develops across the lifespan.

In This Section:

• 11.1 Foundations of Morality
• 11.2 Moral Development