Tracing the developmental processes of teachers and students: A sociomoral approach in school

Integrating psychological theories and educational practice has long been the aim of educational psychologists. This paper contributes to this task by presenting an overview of the results of a three-step research project: Students’ Sociomoral and Interpersonal Development. Firstly, basic research was conducted, tracing the developmental patterns of the students’ interpersonal competence in solving communicative conflicts with their classmates and teachers. The second stage of the project consisted of a prevention and intervention programme at school, as teachers were guided in working constructively with their students on sociomoral and interpersonal issues. During the process of the intervention programmes, applied research was conducted with a focus on the students’ developmental progress in interpersonal understanding and actions as a function of their participation. Finally, the teachers’ own professional development was traced during the course of their work with their students in this area.