ABSTRACT
Many moral development theories posit the importance of perspective-taking and/or empathy for healthy moral development. Thus, Chapter 11 provides some detail about what can happen when moral or empathic development goes seriously awry. This chapter begins by summarizing Martin Hoffman's theory of empathic development, as well as criticisms of this theory, to provide a foundation for understanding what happens when development goes awry. The chapter provides examples of how developmental deficits play out in individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder or psychopathy. In addition, a description of Albert Bandura's theory of moral disengagement allows for a brief consideration of a more widespread and disturbing way that development goes awry—the mechanisms by which ordinary people morally disengage in order to commit reprehensible acts.
