CONSCIENCE IN THE LIGHT OF PSYCHOLOGICAL THEORIES
Keywords:
Identification, Intrinsic Reinforcement, Moral Motivation, Rational-altruistic, Value-conceptAbstract
Conscience was almost exclusively a subject matter of religion, theology and philosophy. But in recent times we have realized that it is too complex to be neatly contained in speculative disciplines alone. It demands interdisciplinary approach and studies. This article discusses moral development and conscience formation in the light of the findings of psychological researches. Though there are several approaches/theories in this field, we have chosen what are considered to be major ones as well as representative. They are identification theory, cognitive-developmental approach, behaviourism and character study. Each theory has its own conception of conscience, its characteristics, formative factors and process — conscience involves affective/empathic, cognitive and behavioural dimensions, all of which need to be integrated into a mature character. Though the various theories presented here appear quite diverse they are at the same time complementary.
References
B. Kiely, Psychology and Moral Theology, Rome: Gregorian University Press, 1980.
J. Aronfreed, Conduct and Conscience, New York: Academic Press, 1968.
J. McMartin, Personality Psychology, New Delhi: Sage Publications, 1995.
J.W. Whiting, “Resource Mediation and Learning by Identification,” in I. Iscoe and H.W. Stevenson, ed., Personality Development of Children, New Haven: Yale University Press, 1953.
L. Kohlberg, The Psychology of Moral Development, New York: Harper and Row, 1984.
R. Peck and R.T. Havighurst, The Psychology of Character Development, New York: John Wiley and Sons, 1960.
R.R. Sears and others, “Signs and Sources of Conscience,” in R.C. Johnson and others, ed., Conscience, Contract and Social Reality, New York: Holt, Rineheart and Winston Inc., 1972.
R.R. Sears and others, Patterns of Childrearing, Evanston: Row Peterson, 1957.
T. Srampickal, “Complex and Uncertain Etiology of Homosexuality,” Jeevadhara 44, 264(November 2014).
T. Srampickal, The Concept of Conscience, Innsbruck: Resch Verlag, 1976.
W. Damon, The Moral Child, New York: Free Press, 1988.
W. Kay, Moral Development, London: George Allen and Unwin Ltd, 1972.
W. Weiten, Psychology: Themes and Variations, Pacific Grove, California: Brooks/Cole Publ. Company, 1989.
