Moral attitudes and

behaviour
 Development of moral codes

• It is a set of rules or guidelines that a person or group of people follow in

order to live a good life.

• Decisions are made by concerning right and wrong or good and bad.

• Moral codes are heavily dependent upon culture .

● In late childhood (early adolescence) , moral codes are greatly influenced
by the moral standard of the groups with which they are identified. (The
level of their moral standard is influenced by the group they mingle with).
● This does not mean that they do not have any family moral codes. Rather ,
it means that they go along with the standard to maintain their status in the
gang .
● When children reach the end of their childhood their moral codes depends
upon the standard of the adults with whom they are associated.
● It has been reported that ,children with high IQ tend to be more mature in
their moral judgment than those of low intellectual levels.
● Girls tend to from more mature moral judgments than boys .
 Few steps to create a personal code of ethics (Morals and
values)

● Consider your relationships .

● Create a set of statements to be followed .
● Develop guidelines.
 Role of discipline in moral development

Essentials of discipline

• Aid in building a moral code

The teaching of right and wrong should emphasize the reasons .
• Rewards
• Punishment
• Consistency
 Development of conscience

• The term conscience –A conditioned anxiety response to

certain kinds of situations and actions which has been
built up by associating certain acts with punishments
• Motivates children to do what they know is right and
thus avoid punishment
• Guilt –negative evaluation
• Shame –unpleasant emotional reaction