EFFECTS OF GENDER AND EDUCATION ON THE MORAL REASONING OF KUWAIT UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

Abstract

The moral reasoning of 189 undergraduate students from the College of Education, Kuwait University was studied, using the Defining Issues Test (DIT) by Rest (1990). The subjects ranged in age from 18 to 26 years (mean age =20.83). The results revealed that the sample reasoned predominantly at stage 4. Principled Morality Percentage Score (P%-score) was found to be below the norms reported in the literature for this group. There were no gender differences in moral reasoning. However, formal education did have a significant effect on moral judgment scores. In the light of this cross-cultural study as well as of other similar studies, a series of questions related to the understanding of moral development has been raised for further examination.