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Why a True Account of Human Development Requires Exemplar Research
Author(s) -
Damon William,
Colby Anne
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
new directions for child and adolescent development
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.628
H-Index - 59
eISSN - 1534-8687
pISSN - 1520-3247
DOI - 10.1002/cad.20046
Subject(s) - psychology , cognitive psychology , developmental psychology , childhood development , child development , cognitive development , cognitive science , cognition , neuroscience
This chapter uses moral psychology to illustrate why exemplar methods are essential for building a valid, complete understanding of key domains of human development. Social psychological, economic, and biological‐evolutionary paradigms for studying morality rely on samples drawn from the general population. This research reveals a bleak picture of morality, highlighting its irrational, self‐interested, externally controlled aspects. If the subjects in these studies are confused, pliable, or profit‐maximizing, these studies conclude that people in general are morally irrational and self‐interested. In contrast, studies that investigate morally exceptional individuals reveal a more thoughtful, ideal‐driven, self‐reflective, creative version of moral functioning. Any account that neglects this high‐functioning segment of the range is seriously misleading and cannot provide the basis for aspiration or education. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.