The crucial stage of life for developing a personal values' profile is adolescence, as this is when emphasis is placed on the forming a person's own identity. Based on Piaget and Kohlberg's Theories of Moral Development, the Theory of Evolutionary Ethics as well as research on socialization and value acquisition, a survey of qualitative interviews was conceptualized. By means of semi-structured interviews, young people are asked about the influence that possible agents of socialisation, such as family, peers, teachers or religious figures, have on the development of their values. Conditions that promote or hinder the process of establishing values are identified and analysed. The subjective viewpoint of the adolescents is hereby at the center of analysis. The results serve to demonstrate implications for value education. The most important result of the study is that adolescents see good personal relationships and reliable ties as an absolute necessity for successful value acquisition.

Autorentext
Dr. Kathrin S. Kürzinger ist wissenschaftliche Mitarbeiterin am Lehrstuhl Evangelische Theologie mit Schwerpunkt Religionspädagogik und Didaktik des Religionsunterrichts an der Universität Augsburg.

Leseprobe
Good personal relationships or secure bonds are the key to success in questions of the formation and development of values. In addition to this, young people wish to be treated with appreciation, respect and trust. This is the finding of the present qualitative empirical interview study, in which for the first time information is gathered explicitly on the point of view of young people as to the factors that influenced on the development of their values. At the same time, the conditions are identified and analysed that promote or hinder the process of value formation. The results of the study are used to draw consequences for concepts on values education.