Value orientations and moral development in adolescence

Abstract

Research is devoted to the study of value orientations in adolescence. The article contains the theoretical analysis of the main approaches to the study of the value sphere and moral development in adolescent. It investigated studies of value orientations in adolescence, including the S.Schwartz and W.Bilsky theory of universal content and structure of values. The data of empirical research shows the structure and hierarchy of value orientations of Russian teenagers. The research identified and described the hierarchy of value orientations of modern Russian teenagers, where there is a priority of following values: benevolence (preservation and enhancement of the welfare of people), self-direction, independence, reputation, independence and courage in defending their interests, freedom of choice and decision-making. This values connected with the development objectives in adolescence. The predominance of the poles of growth and development of values, freedom from anxiety, as opposed to the values of self-defense and avoidance of anxiety. Values of social self-determination and focus are found along with the focus of personal values and self-affirmation, openness to change. The lowest values of the popularity gained preservation, accented on the avoidance of change, self-restraint and order. We analyzed gender differences in the value orientations of adolescents. . The women show both preference for traditional values and qualities acting more as a masculine that correlates with the stereotype of the "New femininity". The men choose the power as preferred value that correlates with the stereotype of the "Western masculinity". Age dynamics of change of value orientations of teenagers manifested in a number of significant differences between older and younger teens. Increasing importance of the independence: actions values for older adolescents, compared with younger, connected with the developmental objectives of acquisition of Autonomy. It was found that different solutions of moral dilemmas are connected with different preferences in values. The actualization of the values is more obvious in answers with choosing of own moral behavior in a situation of conflict, rather than in answers for the hypothetical situation of the hero.