Abstract

ZERPA, Carlos Enrique; HENRIQUEZ BILBAO, Geraldine  and  RAMIREZ, Jorge J.. Estimating moral development in a sample of alternative formulas of prison sentenced beneficiaries. Univ. Psychol. [online]. 2006, vol.5, n.2, pp. 285-294. ISSN 1657-9267.

The level of moral development in a sampled of convicts from West Venezuela is presented. The study was carried out by means of Defining Issues Test (DIT) evaluation. The sample includes 50 persons between 19 and 55 years old (M = 34,33 y DT = 8,76), out of them 39 were males (average age 33,74), DT=8,24) an 11 were females (average age 35,91, DT=10,67). All of them were beneficiaries of alternatives formulas of their respective sentences such as social work, parole or conditional suspension of sentences and following the corresponding process or rehabilitation out of prisons. This sample registered a moral principles index of 19,67 and a non-relevant answers index of 12,07 as well as fourth moral developmental stage of 41,3 which are unusually high. The results suggest that there is not a statistically significant difference in the pattern of moral development depending on sex, age, or institution for sentenced fulfillment. However, the unusual high pattern of answers and the inverse correspondence between the duration of sentences and the resulting level of moral principles suggest that the sample behaves in a way, which is different from what is expected in no-out-law samples. Findings and implications are discused.

Keywords : Moral development; Convicts; Defining Issues Test; Prisoner´s psychology.

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