Today, a developmental psychologist studying moral development is likely to emphasize:
A) how children learn to regulate their own emotions and behavior.
B) the distinct stages of moral development.
C) the development of the universal human rights orientation.
D) how young children lack a moral sense.

Question

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While all of these topics are relevant to the study of moral development, contemporary developmental psychologists are most likely to emphasize how children learn to regulate their own emotions and behavior in the context of making moral decisions. This includes things like empathy, understanding and following social norms, and developing a sense of fairness and justice. The focus is less on specific stages of moral reasoning, as proposed by theorists like Lawrence Kohlberg, and more on the dynamic and interactive processes involved in socialization and moral learning. The development of a universal human rights orientation is also an important topic, but it is just one aspect of moral development, rather than its primary emphasis. Finally, while young children may not have a fully developed moral sense, most researchers would not say that they "lack" it altogether.

Today, a Developmental Psychologist Studying Moral Development Is Likely to Emphasize