Defining Issues Test (DIT-2)

Instructions

On the next page, you will be asked to complete the Defining Issues Test (DIT-2). This questionnaire is concerned with how you define the issues in a social problem. Based on Lawrence Kohlberg’s theory of moral development, these issues ask you to judge what is important when making a decision. The DIT-2 presents you five very short stories, each describing a different ethical dilemma.  After reading each situation, you are asked to decide on a course of action, rate the importance of 12 issues pertaining to the situation, and rank the four most important elements influencing your evaluation of the situation. 

As you complete the DIT-2, please keep in mind:

  • There are no right or wrong answers.
  • You are encouraged to respond intuitively.  The questionnaire should take no more than 25 minutes.  If it is taking a lot longer than 5-8 minutes per situation, you may be overthinking your responses.
  • Complete the questionnaire in one sitting. Eliminate any distractions from your work station, including music and other web browsers.
  • Do not use any additional resources, such as dictionaries or online search engines.

Once the results have been processed you will receive a score for this test, and our interpretation of the Duke results overall. 

If you have any questions about the study or the DIT-2 questionnaire, you are welcome to contact The Office of Assessment, at assessment@duke.edu 

Click here to begin the Defining Issues Test (DIT-2)

The questionnaire will open in a new window so that you can continue to refer to the instructions listed above.

For further reading:
​Kohlberg, L.  (1973).  The claim to moral adequacy of a highest stage of moral judgment. Journal of Philosophy, 70, pp. 630-646.
​Kohlberg, L.  (1981).  Essays on moral development, Vol. I: The Philosophy of Moral Development.  San Francisco, CA: Harper & Row.