Level of Moral Reasoning and Ego Development as Factors in Predicted Vocational Success with the Mentally Retarded

Eight vocational adjustment coordinators from four Houston area school districts identified the educable mentally retarded (EMR) clients (16 to 19 years old) they predicted most likely (n=25)and least likely (n=25) to succeed in employment. Ss were individually administered L. Kohlberg's Test of Moral Reasoning (KMRT) and J. Loevinger's Washington University Sentence Completion Test of Ego Development (LEDT). The group predicted likely to succeed in employment scored higher on both the KMRT and LEDT than the group predicted unlikely to succeed. The groups did not show significant differences in age, ethnic groups, measured IQ, or sex. (SBH)