The Effect of Computerized Simulation Games on the Moral Development of Youth in Distress

Summary This study deals with the development and application of a computerized therapeutic simulation game for the purpose of raising the moral level of youth in distress. The effects of the game on moral development were determined by a moral development measure (MOTEC) set out by Ziv, (1976). The level of moral development of a research group (n = 13) and a control group (n = 14) were measured before and after exposure to the therapeutic game, A total of five indices of moral development were used. Two of these, Moral stage and Punishment reveal a positive effect on the participants. The study concludes with a discussion of the effects of therapeutic games on moral development and their potential use in the field.