Abstract:
The purpose of this research was to survey the moral reactions of pupils, teachers and parents to the social behaviors of others, and to study the influence of six independent variables toward the moral reactions to the social behaviors of others. The six independent variables were status, sex, religion, family occupation, region and residental area. The sample was composed of 2,888 subjects which included pupils in Prathomsuksa 6, Mathayom 3, Mathoyomsuksa 5 during the 1981 academic year, as well as teachers and parents, covering the five regions of Thailand, namely, the North, Northeast, Centre, South and the Bangkok Metropolis. Subjects were selected by a multi-stage sampling method. The data were collected through a biographical data questionnaire and a moral reaction scale. The scale was constructed by the researcher following the techniques of Semantic Differential Scale and Triandis Behavioral Differential Scale. The data were analysed by using the one way analysis of varience and when appropriate, the Scheffe's method for pairwise comparisons. The major findings are as follow : 1. Pupils, teachers and parents showed definite positive moral reactions and no definite negative moral reactions to two behaviors : helping others and welfare work. 2. Pupils, teachers and parents might show positive moral reactions and no negative moral reactions to six behaviors : being aware of seniority, being sympathetic toward others, forgiving, saving the reputation of the group, showing gratitude and being considerate of other's feeling. 3. Pupils, teachers and parents could not decide to show positive moral reactions and could not show negative moral reactions to three behaviors : keeping promise, favoring acquaintances and being boastful. 4. Pupils, teachers and parents could not decide whether to have positive or negative moral reactions to three behaviors : face- saving, favoring men more than women and flattering. 5. Pupils, teachers and parents might not show positive moral reactions and might not decide to show negative moral reactions to four behaviors : favoring older children, favoring rich people, men violating sexual ethics and telling lies. 6. Pupils, teachers and parents might not decide between positive or negative moral reactions to four behaviors : lacking dicipline, using tricks, women violating sexual ethics and envy. 7. Pupils, teachers and parents did not show definite positive moral reactions and might show negative moral reactions to two behaviors: appressing others and calumny. 8. The six independent variables are significantly correlated to moral reactions to social behaviors of others (p < .05 or beyond). The variables which show a significant correlation are region, status, sex, family occupation, residental area and religion as outline below: 8.1 There are significant differences in moral reactions to social behaviors of others for twenty-three behaviors, among subjects from the North, Northeast, Centre, South and the Bangkok Metropolis (p < .05 or beyond). Subjects from the Northeast had less positive moral reactions to positive behaviors and more negative moral reactions than other groups but more positive moral reactions than other groups. Subjects from the South had more negative moral reactions to negative behaviors than other groups. 8.2 There are significant differences in moral reactions to social behaviors of others for twenty behaviors, among Prathomsuksa 6 pupils, Mathayom 3 pupils, Mathayomsuksa 5 pupils, teachers and parents (p < .05 or beyond) . Prathomsuksa 6 pupils had less positive moral reactions to positive behaviors and more negative moral reactions to positive behaviors and more negative moral reactions than other groups. Mathayomsuksa 5 pupils had more positive moral reactions to positive behaviors than other groups and teachers had more negative moral reactions to negative behaviors than other groups. 8.3 There are significant differences between male and female subjects (p < .05 or beyond) in moral reactions to social behaviors of others for twelve behaviors. Male had less positive moral reactions and more negative moral reactions to positive behaviors than females but had more positive moral reactions and less negative moral reactions to negative behaviors than females. 8.4 There are significant differences in moral reactions to social behaviors of others for twelve behaviors among subjects from different family occupations, namely, civil servants, workers, businessmen and employees (p < .05 or beyond). The civil servants group had more positive moral reactions and less negative moral reactions than other groups. 8.5 There are significant differences in moral reaction to social behaviors of others for eight behaviors, among the subjects from the inner Bangkok Metropolis, the suburbs, Amphoe Muang and Amphoe in the rural areas (p < .05 or beyond). Subjects from the Amphoe in the rural areas had less possitive moral reactions and more negative moral reactions to positive behaviors than other groups. 8.6 There is a significant difference among Buddhists, Christians and Muslims in moral reactions to social behaviors of others for only one behavior which is women violating sexual eithics (p< .05) Muslims had more negative moral reactions than Buddhists and Christians. 9. The differences in moral reactions to social behaviors of others of subjects according to the six independent variables are only quantitative in nature. However all variables show the same direction, i.e. to promote positive social behaviors and oppose negative social behaviors.