Sex Differences in Moral Reasoning: The Role of Intelligence and Life History Strategy

Abstract

The manner in which sex interacts with intelligence and life history strategy to predict moral reasoning was examined using a sample of early adolescents. Hierarchal regression revealed that for males, intelligence was positively and significantly associated with the level of moral reasoning. However, for females intelligence was not predictive of the level of moral reasoning. Alternatively, for females slow life history strategy was positively associated with the level of moral reasoning, while for males it was not. The results add to the growing understanding of individual differences in moral decision making. However, some caution is warranted when drawing conclusions given the size of the sample