Psychology
The Development of Moral Reasoning from Childhood to Adulthood
Quick fact
A young child might say that stealing is wrong because they will be punished, while an older adolescent might say it is wrong because it violates the rights of others—even if no one catches them.
Why this is interesting
You might assume that children simply know right from wrong, but their moral reasoning transforms dramatically as they grow. Why does a child think stealing is bad for a different reason than an adult?