ERIC Number: EJ1233330
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2019
Pages: 26
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0305-7240
EISSN: N/A
Character in Context: Character Structure among United States Military Academy Cadets
Callina, Kristina Schmid; Burkhard, Brian; Schaefer, Hillary S.; Powers, Jeremiah; Murray, Elise D.; Kobylski, Gerald; Ryan, Dianne M.; Kelly, Dennis; Matthews, Michael D.; Lerner, Richard M.
Journal of Moral Education, v48 n4 p439-464 2019
Research about the structure of character has largely assessed purported universal attributes. However, character develops within specific social, cultural and institutional contexts. As part of the first wave of a longitudinal study (Project Arete) of character development among cadets at the United States Military Academy (USMA) at West Point, an institution with a core mission to develop leaders of character, we examined the factor structure of a set of 15 character attributes of specific relevance to the West Point context. Data were derived from self-report surveys (N = 1,549; 75.6% men) completed in spring 2017. Results of exploratory factor analysis (EFA) identified a 4-factor structure of character: Relational, Commitment, Honor and Machiavellian and a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) provided evidence for the validity and measurement equivalence of the factors. We discuss implications for promoting and assessing character within the context of USMA and other institutions seeking to develop leaders of character.
Descriptors: Leadership Training, Longitudinal Studies, Military Training, Higher Education, Institutional Mission, Moral Development, Factor Structure, Social Environment, Personality Traits, Values Education, Ethics, Validity, Student Attitudes, College Students, Empathy, Resilience (Psychology), Self Control, Integrity, Positive Attitudes, Emotional Intelligence, Teamwork, Factor Analysis, Correlation
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: New York
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A