This volume investigates the complex mechanisms through which individuals acquire, internalize, and express moral reasoning and behavior across the lifespan. Edited by Judith G. Smetana and Melanie Killen, both prominent scholars in developmental psychology, the text synthesizes decades of empirical research. It presents a comprehensive framework that integrates cognitive, social, and emotional perspectives to explain how moral development is shaped by interpersonal interactions and cultural contexts.

Experts recognize this handbook as a foundational reference for researchers and graduate students in the field of developmental psychology. Readers frequently note the academic density of the prose, which serves as a rigorous survey of current theoretical debates and empirical findings.