The Moral Foundations Theory (MFT) identifies innate moral foundations that drive moral judgment, and are assumed to mature at different phases throughout development. However, core developmental aspects of moral foundations, such as normative age and gender differences from an MFT perspective, remain relatively unexplored, particularly in pre-adulthood. Therefore, the present study investigates age and gender differences in moral foundations during adolescence, a sensitive phase for moral identity development.

Methods

Cross-sectional data was collected from 2022 to 2024 in a wide variety of elementary and secondary schools in Flanders, Belgium. A total of 778 adolescents (M_age = 13.14, SD_age = 1.76, age range = 10–17 years, 55.4% boys, 44.6% girls) completed 30 moral foundation vignettes.

Results

Regression analysis revealed normative decreases in all moral foundations with age, with significant curvilinear trends observed for Fairness, Authority, and Sanctity among boys and girls. Gender differences emerged, with girls placing greater emphasis on Care and Liberty, and interaction effects also suggest distinct developmental trajectories of Care, Liberty, and Loyalty across genders.

Conclusions

These findings indicate that age-related and gender-specific changes in moral foundations already emerge during adolescence.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Open Research

Data Availability Statement

The data that support the findings of this study are openly available in OSF at http://osf.io/43ehv/?view_only=86fbb49630b9431d869c8b2d34817648. Data and code is available on the OSF-project page: http://osf.io/43ehv/?view_only=86fbb49630b9431d869c8b2d34817648.

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Volume97, Issue5

July 2025

Pages 1333-1343

The Development of a Moral Compass: Exploring Age and Gender Differences in Moral Foundations In Early and Mid-Adolescence

ABSTRACT

Introduction

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Conflicts of Interest

Open Research

Data Availability Statement

References

References

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The Development of a Moral Compass: Exploring Age and Gender Differences in Moral Foundations In Early and Mid-Adolescence

ABSTRACT

Introduction

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Conflicts of Interest

Open Research

Data Availability Statement

References

References

Related

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