Handbook of Moral Development

"Each day of our lives, it seems, we read about or even experience some act we deem moral or amoral, just or unjust, fair or unfair. It is not for no reason that the likes of Locke and Hobbes, Darwin and Freud were drawn to profound questions about human morality. What are the developmental roots of moral judgments and behavior? Morality, we now know, occupies a central nexus in an array of significant influences: biological, personological, social, economic, cultural, and evolutionary. Intrigued? Then the place to turn is the new, erudite, and very welcome edition of the Handbook of Moral Development. Here, two world-renown expert editors have assembled stellar contributors who offer in-depth state-of-the-art conceptual and empirical treatments of the full spectrum of major topics that are bound up in the challenging but essential issue that is human morality."

—Marc H. Bornstein, Editor, Parenting: Science and Practice

"This new edition of Killen and Smetana’s esteemed Handbook is forward looking without being trendy, representing beautifully the complexity of contemporary research on moral development. With theoretical depth, a multidisciplinary sweep, and comprehensive topical focus, it is an essential reference for anyone who is serious about understanding this field."

—Anne Colby, Stanford University

"For years I have relied heavily on Killen & Smetana's Handbook of Moral Development in my courses on human development. There is no comparable source on the essential subject of moral and character formation. In its comprehensiveness, timeliness, and range, the new edition increases the usefulness of this invaluable resource. The Killen and Smetana Handbook is indispensable for all scholars interested in the acquisition of morality throughout life."
—William Damon, Stanford University

"The first edition of the Handbook of Moral Development was a watershed event in integrating and enhancing scholarship about moral development. The second edition extends this singular contribution and, once again, is required reading for current and future generations of developmental scientists."

—Richard M. Lerner, Tufts University

"This completely revised edition of the Handbook documents the most recent achievements in moral development theory and research. It is written by the leading experts in the field and highlights the many facets of morality, its correlates and antecedents. It is a highly valuable interdisciplinary resource for researchers, academic teachers and students."

—Monika Keller, Max Planck Institute for Human Development, Berlin

"This new edition of the Handbook forms an indispensable guide for anyone interested in the highly relevant, exiting and ever expanding field of moral development. It maintains the primary source in the field by providing an overview of classical theories, established findings, disciplinary approaches, and new, innovative areas of investigation. Organized into six sections, the highly readable chapters offer an extensive, state-of-the-art description of theory and research on moral development. The handbook presents a comprehensive and authoritative overview of the field and is a must read for anyone interested in the ongoing academic, political and societal debates about morality."

—Maykel Verkuyten, Utrecht University

"The chapters are clear, focused, and well written and provide a wealth of information on cutting edge research and theoretical perspectives. ... Killen and Smetana's Handbook of Moral Development allows readers to come along for the ride as outstanding thinkers in the field share their efforts to 'figure out' the dynamic and expanding field of moral development."
—Association for Moral Education

"...this new 'Handbook' provides a bridge over the cognitive/affective divide that has limited progress in our understanding of how to foster moral development."
—PsycCRITIQUES