Abstract

• The main purpose of this study is to investigate moral judgment of adolescents. Quantitative survey method was used. A total 929 adolescents whose ages range from 14 to 20 participated in this study. Six stories or moral dilemmas from Defining Issues Test (DIT) and sixty moral judgment items constructed by researcher were used to measure moral judgment. Empathy Assessment Index (EAI) was used to measure empathy of participants. Participants are categorized into six moral stages of Kohlberg’s moral development theory. The results showed that most participants are at stage six on questionnaire. But most of them are at stage 2 and stage 3 on moral dilemmas. So, although they have high moral philosophy, their moral stages become lower when they face moral dilemmas or difficult situation. The findings showed that their moral judgment and educational level are significantly associated (χ2 =79.076, p <.01). But moral judgment and age are not significantly associated (χ2 =43.291, p =.05). According to Spearman correlation result, moral judgment and empathy are not significantly correlated (r =.067, p =.073). Since most of the participants have stage 2 and stage 3 moral reasoning in responses of moral dilemmas, they decide right or wrong according to the significant others such as parents, teachers and peer group. They also decide right or wrong based on the results of an action. So, it is recommended that explaining results of an action and significant others can make adolescents improve moral judgment.