FEATURES OF USING TEENAGERS’ MECHANISMS OF MORAL FREEDOMIN VARIOUS ETHNO-CULTURAL CONDITIONS

Abstract

Aim. To perform the comparative analysis adolescents’ use of moral self-justification mechanisms in various ethno-cultural conditions. Methodology. The method of moral responsibility alienation by S. Moore was used (adapted by Ya. A. Ledovaya et al.). 731 teenagers, aged from 13 to 18, from Russia and Azerbaijan took part in the study. Results. Taking into consideration the intensity of the moral freedom strategies use, three types of “moral freedom” (“passive users”, “active users”, “strategy of distorting the victim’s image”) are singled out; moral self-justification mechanisms preferred by adolescents are established. Cross-cultural differences in the application of moral self-justification mechanisms are revealed both for the sample as a whole and for gender groups. Research implications. The research results develop the ideas of cross-cultural peculiarities of adolescents’ behavior in moral choice conditions. The results can be used in adolescents’ personal development programs.

Keywords

• adolescence
• moral development
• moral self-justification mechanisms
• moral freedom strategies
• cross-cultural study