The Model and the Measure: An appraisal of the Minnesota approach to moral development

This review provides a critical appraisal of two of the more significant contributions of the Minnesota approach to moral development. One contribution is the componential model which describes the four psychological components underlying moral behaviour. Evaluation of this model focuses on the adequacy of its synthesis of disparate processes in moral functioning, its instruments for assessing the four components, and its framework for moral education. A second contribution entails the conceptual and methodological reformulations known as the neo-Kohlbergian approach. Evaluation of this approach focuses on its emphasis on macro-morality, redefinition of post-conventional morality, proposal of three moral schemas and six moral types and assessment of moral judgement with the Defining Issues Test. This review identifies the most valuable contributions of the Minnesota approach, as well as its most telling limitations.