6. Moral Psychology
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Erin Schauster
Abstract
Moral psychology is the study of moral agency, which has been applied by media ethicists to understand the moral reasoning, motivations and behaviors of media students and workers such as journalists, advertising and public relations practitioners. The history of moral psychology begins with the seminal work of Jean Piaget and extends into the six stages of moral development proposed by Lawrence Kohlberg. The prevailing measure of moral reasoning relative to Kohlberg’s six stages is the Defining Issues Test (DIT), developed by James Rest, which activates and accesses moral schemas ascending from acknowledging authority and avoiding punishment, to rationalizing decisions based upon principles of justice, reciprocity and respect. Additional methods employed include the Journalists’ Ethical Reasoning Instrument (JERI), a measure of moral reasoning much like the DIT; Forsyth Ethics Position Questionnaire (EPQ), a measure of ethical ideologies; and Ethical Motivation Scale (EMS), which determines motives for ethical decision making. However, moral reasoning is understood as an interlocking system, dependent upon social interaction occurring within and influenced by one’s environmental context, which presents limitations for these measures. In response to these limitations, proposed new pathways for media ethics research evaluate moral development relative to professional environments, life experiences, and emerging practices.
Abstract
Moral psychology is the study of moral agency, which has been applied by media ethicists to understand the moral reasoning, motivations and behaviors of media students and workers such as journalists, advertising and public relations practitioners. The history of moral psychology begins with the seminal work of Jean Piaget and extends into the six stages of moral development proposed by Lawrence Kohlberg. The prevailing measure of moral reasoning relative to Kohlberg’s six stages is the Defining Issues Test (DIT), developed by James Rest, which activates and accesses moral schemas ascending from acknowledging authority and avoiding punishment, to rationalizing decisions based upon principles of justice, reciprocity and respect. Additional methods employed include the Journalists’ Ethical Reasoning Instrument (JERI), a measure of moral reasoning much like the DIT; Forsyth Ethics Position Questionnaire (EPQ), a measure of ethical ideologies; and Ethical Motivation Scale (EMS), which determines motives for ethical decision making. However, moral reasoning is understood as an interlocking system, dependent upon social interaction occurring within and influenced by one’s environmental context, which presents limitations for these measures. In response to these limitations, proposed new pathways for media ethics research evaluate moral development relative to professional environments, life experiences, and emerging practices.
Chapters in this book
- Frontmatter I
- Preface to Handbooks of Communication Science series V
- Acknowledgements XI
- Contents XIII
- 1. Defining the Field 1
- 2. A History of Media Ethics: From Application to Theory and Back Again 15
- 3. Communication Ethics: Origins and Trajectories 31
- 4. Cultural Pluralism and Media Ethics: Theorizing in a Globalized World of Difference 53
- 5. Contractualism for Media Ethics 75
- 6. Moral Psychology 95
- 7. Theorizing the Ambitions, Opportunities, and Limitations of Democratic Dialogue 121
- 8. Deontology 139
- 9. Consequentialism 159
- 10. Virtue Ethics & Media 171
- 11. Care Ethics: A Different Voice for Communication and Media Ethics 191
- 12. Harm in Journalism 215
- 13. Harm in Media Marketing: the Branding of Values 235
- 14. Harm and Entertainment 251
- 15. Harm in Public Relations 273
- 16. Justice and Media Ethics 295
- 17. Principled Advocacy 311
- 18. Morality in Entertainment 329
- 19. Popular Culture and Media 347
- 20. Communication Ethics and Globalization 367
- 21. Communication Ethics Research: Evolution and Thoughtful Response 391
- 22. No Greater Than Who I Actually Am: Virtue Ethics in Digital Life Narratives 407
- 23. Web Architecture and Values in the Stack: Exploring the Relationship between Internet Infrastructure and Human Values 425
- 24. Communication Technology and Perception 451
- 25. Research Directions 469
- 26. Theorizing over the Horizon: Ontology in the Global Imaginary 485
- 27. Toward an Interpretive Framework: Neuroethical Considerations for Media Ethics 511
- 28. Searching for Universals without Making Problematic Imperialistic Assumptions 529
- Biographical notes on the contributors 549
- Index 553
Chapters in this book
- Frontmatter I
- Preface to Handbooks of Communication Science series V
- Acknowledgements XI
- Contents XIII
- 1. Defining the Field 1
- 2. A History of Media Ethics: From Application to Theory and Back Again 15
- 3. Communication Ethics: Origins and Trajectories 31
- 4. Cultural Pluralism and Media Ethics: Theorizing in a Globalized World of Difference 53
- 5. Contractualism for Media Ethics 75
- 6. Moral Psychology 95
- 7. Theorizing the Ambitions, Opportunities, and Limitations of Democratic Dialogue 121
- 8. Deontology 139
- 9. Consequentialism 159
- 10. Virtue Ethics & Media 171
- 11. Care Ethics: A Different Voice for Communication and Media Ethics 191
- 12. Harm in Journalism 215
- 13. Harm in Media Marketing: the Branding of Values 235
- 14. Harm and Entertainment 251
- 15. Harm in Public Relations 273
- 16. Justice and Media Ethics 295
- 17. Principled Advocacy 311
- 18. Morality in Entertainment 329
- 19. Popular Culture and Media 347
- 20. Communication Ethics and Globalization 367
- 21. Communication Ethics Research: Evolution and Thoughtful Response 391
- 22. No Greater Than Who I Actually Am: Virtue Ethics in Digital Life Narratives 407
- 23. Web Architecture and Values in the Stack: Exploring the Relationship between Internet Infrastructure and Human Values 425
- 24. Communication Technology and Perception 451
- 25. Research Directions 469
- 26. Theorizing over the Horizon: Ontology in the Global Imaginary 485
- 27. Toward an Interpretive Framework: Neuroethical Considerations for Media Ethics 511
- 28. Searching for Universals without Making Problematic Imperialistic Assumptions 529
- Biographical notes on the contributors 549
- Index 553
