Who cares? The effect of gender and context on the self and moral reasoning

Michelle K. Ryan*, Barbara David, Katherine J. Reynolds

*Corresponding author for this work

    Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

    38 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    Theorists suggest that gender differences in moral reasoning are due to differences in the self-concept, with women feeling connected to others and using a care approach, whereas men feel separate from others and adopt a justice approach. Using a self-categorization analysis, the current research suggests that the nature of the self-other relationship, rather than gender, predicts moral reasoning. Study 1 found moral reasoning to be dependent upon the social distance between the self and others, with a care-based approach more likely when interacting with a friend than a stranger. Study 2 suggests that when individuals see others as ingroup members they are more likely to utilize care-based moral reasoning than when others are seen as outgroup members. Further, traditional gender differences in moral reasoning were found only when gender was made salient. These studies suggest that both the self and moral reasoning are better conceptualized as fluid and context dependent.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)246-255
    Number of pages10
    JournalPsychology of Women Quarterly
    Volume28
    Issue number3
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - Sept 2004

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