ABSTRACT
This chapter reviews influential theories in morality and in moral development, and will provide a perspective on how morality influences the development of volunteerism. Issues related to the developmental pathways of morality in humans have traditionally fallen under the domain of developmental psychology. Moral development occurs in a similar pattern to more general cognitive development. That is, an understanding of morality, of fairness and right and wrong, comes from interactions with others. Moral Foundations Theory provides an understanding of how similar approaches to morality have emerged with unique “cultural influences” all over the world. Self-actualized individuals feel a sense of connection and identification with all people and have strong moral and ethical standards guiding decisions and behaviors. Moral individuals are believed to identify with a large superordinate group, one that extends beyond just people one knows and includes all humanity.
