THE MEDIATING ROLE OF COGNITIVE FLEXIBILITY İN THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ALTRUISM AND MORAL VALUES OF CHILD DEVELOPMENT STUDENTS

ABSTRACT Aim: The aim of this study is to examine the mediating role of cognitive flexibility in the relationship between university students moral values and altruism. In this context, the effects of "alternative" and "control" variables, which are sub-dimensions of cognitive flexibility, on this relationship were evaluated. Altruism, moral values, and cognitive flexibility play an important role in individuals' social and ethical decisions. This research aims to contribute to the professional development of child development students by examining these characteristics. The limited number of studies on the relationship between these three concepts in the literature increases the importance of this research. Method: The research is a quantitative study based on the relational survey model and the sample group consisted 370 child development undergraduate students. Data were collected using the Altruism Scale, Moral Values Scale and Cognitive Flexibility Inventory. Pearson Correlation Analysis and mediation analysis through Process Macro were used in the analysis. Findings: The results of the analysis showed a strong positive relationship between altruism and moral values. It was found that "alternative" thinking skills, one of the sub-dimensions of cognitive flexibility, played a partial mediating role in this relationship, while the "control" dimension did not play a significant mediating role. Alternative thinking skills were found to play a critical role in the development of moral values that support altruistic behaviors. Conclusion: The mediating role of cognitive flexibility on altruism and moral values reveals that alternative thinking skills are especially important in this relationship. Future research is recommended to examine these relationships on larger sample groups and in cultural contexts. This study contributes to the literature on the effects of cognitive flexibility on social behavior.