Character in context: Character structure among United States Military Academy cadets

Oct 2, 2019
By: Callina KS; Burkhard B; Schaefer HS; Powers J; Murray ED; Kobylski G; Ryan DM; Kelly D; Matthews MD; Lerner RM Journal of Moral Education 439 - 464
Abstract
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.
Copy Citation Callina, K. S., Burkhard, B., Schaefer, H. S., Powers, J., Murray, E. D., Kobylski, G., . . . Lerner, R. M. (2019). Character in context: Character structure among United States Military Academy cadets. Journal of Moral Education, 48(4), 439-464. doi:10.1080/03057240.2018.1528442 Copied to clipboard.
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