Morris Massey's Stages of Value Development is like a roadmap that shows how our beliefs and values are shaped as we grow up. Imagine your mind as a sponge soaking up ideas and attitudes from the world around you.

In the first stage, the Imprint Period (0-7 years), you're like a blank canvas, absorbing everything without questioning. For example, if you grow up in a family where kindness is valued, you'll likely think being kind is important without really thinking about it.

Then comes the Modeling Period (8-13 years), where you start copying behaviors and beliefs of people you admire, like parents, teachers, or older siblings. If your older brother loves sports, you might start loving sports too, even if you didn't care much before.

Finally, in the Socialization Period (14-21 years), you start to develop your own ideas and values by interacting with peers and society. You might realize that you actually prefer music to sports because your friends are into it, and you want to fit in.

These stages shape how you see the world and make decisions as you grow older.

Morris Massey's Stages of Value Development can be related to several other psychological and sociological principles, providing a deeper understanding of how values are formed and evolve over time.

1. Piaget's Theory of Cognitive Development: Massey's stages parallel Piaget's stages of cognitive development, particularly in terms of the progression from egocentrism to more abstract thinking. Just as Piaget describes cognitive development in children, Massey's stages outline the development of values and beliefs.

2. Social Learning Theory (Bandura): The Modeling Period in Massey's model aligns with Bandura's concept of observational learning, where individuals acquire behaviors and values by observing and imitating others in their social environment.

3. Erikson's Stages of Psychosocial Development: Massey's stages can be viewed alongside Erikson's stages, highlighting the interplay between social and moral development throughout the lifespan. Both models emphasize the importance of early experiences and social interactions in shaping identity and values.

4. Kohlberg's Theory of Moral Development: Massey's model complements Kohlberg's theory by providing insights into the socio-cultural influences on moral reasoning and ethical decision-making. Kohlberg's stages focus on the development of moral reasoning, while Massey's stages emphasize the formation of values and beliefs.

5. Cultural Psychology: Massey's stages offer a framework for understanding how cultural values and norms shape individual development. Cultural psychologists examine how cultural contexts influence cognitive processes, socialization practices, and value systems, providing insights into the diversity of human experiences.

6. Neuroscience of Decision-Making: Research in neuroscience has identified brain regions involved in decision-making and moral reasoning, shedding light on the neural mechanisms underlying value processing. Understanding the neural basis of value development can complement Massey's model by elucidating the biological underpinnings of human behavior.

7. Socialization Processes: Massey's stages underscore the role of socialization processes, including family dynamics, peer interactions, and media influences, in shaping values and beliefs. Sociological perspectives on socialization examine how individuals internalize societal norms and cultural values through social interactions and institutions.

References

• Piaget, J. (1952). The origins of intelligence in children.
• Bandura, A. (1977). Social learning theory.
• Erikson, E. H. (1950). Childhood and society.
• Kohlberg, L. (1969). Stage and sequence: The cognitive-developmental approach to socialization.
• Markus, H. R., & Kitayama, S. (1991). Culture and the self: Implications for cognition, emotion, and motivation.
• Greene, J. D., & Haidt, J. (2002). How (and where) does moral judgment work? Trends in Cognitive Sciences.
• Lerner, R. M., & Steinberg, L. (Eds.). (2009). Handbook of adolescent psychology.
• Arnett, J. J. (2016). The Oxford Handbook of Emerging Adulthood.
• Frith, C. D., & Frith, U. (2008). Social cognition in humans. Current Biology.

More Resources

• The Modern Woman: Stages of Development and Lifetime
• Book: The people puzzle: Understanding yourself and others