Moral development and reconstructive memory: Recalling a decision to terminate an unplanned pregnancy

Investigated the relationship between cognitive development, as measured by changes in the Moral Development Scale, and long-term reconstructive memory in 24 15-33 yr old females. The hypothesis that the past is reconstructed to conform with current developmental stages was examined. Results indicate that when developmental gains were made over a 1-yr interval, Ss used a higher stage perspective to reconstruct the decision making involved in resolving a problematic pregnancy and, hence, reconstructed the events in different terms than were originally presented. When developmental gains were not made over a 1-yr interval, Ss reconstructed the events in the same terms as originally presented. Further analysis indicated that those Ss who made developmental gains also referred to a phenomenon of "memory loss." Results support the hypothesis that memory is reconstructive rather than reproductive. (17 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved).