ABSTRACT
The development of moral functioning is – broadly speaking – understood as the authorship and appropriation of moral principles and rules manifest at all levels and aspects of human psychological life, i.e., cognitive, affective and behavioural levels. Such moral functioning has been studied in social sciences under different umbrellas and terms: socialization, internalization, interiorization, construction, maturation, etc. Inborn temperamental characteristics in dynamic interaction with interpersonal processes (imitation, identification, role-taking, parenting
style, peer relations, moral discussion and dialogue, etc.) help with individuals’ moral socialization. Socialization and individuation are traditionally portrayed as close allies, making each other’s existence possible. Individuation is achieved through socialization. In modern society, however, the balance in this two-part, complementary process seems to be disturbed within and/or between the different organizational levels for many children and adolescents.
