In recent decades, an argument for multiplicity has burgeoned in the study of human psychology. Instead of a focus on one kind of self, one kind of intelligence, and one kind of creativity, for example, researchers have described multiple selves, intelligences, and creativities. Moral psychology, too, has seen calls for the inclusion of more than one kind of morality. The Three Ethics differentiates between Autonomy, Community, and Divinity considerations in moral reasoning and values. Briefly, the Ethic of Autonomy involves a focus on the self as an individual. Moral considerations within this ethic include the interests, well-being, and rights of individuals (self or other), and fairness between individuals. The Ethic of Community focuses on persons as members of social groups, with attendant considerations such as duty to others, and concern with the customs, interests, and welfare of groups. The Ethic of Divinity focuses on people as spiritual or religious entities, and considerations encompass divine and natural law, sacred lessons, and spiritual purity. Research has shown the presence of these three ethics among highly varied age and cultural groups.
Coding Manual: Three Ethics of Autonomy, Community & Divinity
Dr. Jensen has developed the standard manual for coding moral reasoning in oral and written discourse in terms of the Three Ethics of Autonomy, Community, and Divinity. Across the studies that have used the manual, Cohen’s Kappa inter-rater reliability assessments have ranged from about .75 to .95.
EVA: Ethical Values Assessment (Long and Short Forms)
This questionnaire by Drs. Jensen and Padilla-Walker assesses ethical values pertaining to the Three Ethics of Autonomy, Community, and Divinity with either 12 items (Short Form) or 18 items (Long Form). In surveys, α values for each of the three ethics range from .80 to .95. Please see the English version, for description of the items that comprise the short and long forms, as well as information about alternative prompts.
The EVA measures both plural moral values and people’s priorities among values. When moral decisions are made, it is seldom possible to base them on all the values that one might consider important. Instead, choices among values must be made. This is probably more true now than ever, because in today’s global world awareness—and perhaps endorsement—of plural values has become commonplace. To address pluralism, the EVA measures endorsement of numerous diverse values on a Likert scale. To assess prioritization, the EVA asks participants to select and hierarchize the three values that they consider to be core values in a rank ordering task. Additionally, there is an open-ended response section providing space to include additional core values, ensuring that the EVA is inclusive of values of potential individual or cultural importance.
A special section of the journal Emerging Adulthood entitled Ethical Values Assessment (EVA) Across Cultures: Evidence from Studies of Emerging Adults is in press. It includes new research among diverse samples from the Philippines, sub-Saharan Africa, Thailand, and the United States.
View PDF in Arabic, English, English for use in sub-Saharan Africa, German, Polish, Romanian, Spanish, Thai and Turkish. In Chinese upon request.
TERA: Three Ethics Reasoning Assessment
This questionnaire assesses reasoning in regards to a selection of specific moral issues, namely, abortion, divorce, suicide, and suicide in the case of terminal illness. Reasoning for other issues, however, could be assessed using the same format.
Coding Manual: Motives for Civic Engagement
Dr. Jensen has developed a manual for coding motives or reasons for civic engagement at the political and community levels. This manual codes reasoning in terms of the Three Ethics of Autonomy, Community, and Divinity (see above), and more specific Civic Engagement Motives. Please contact Dr. Jensen for additional information.