Bellevue University Professor Publishes Moral Psychology: A Narrative Approach to Support Undergraduate Learning
Bellevue University Associate Professor of Psychology Dr. Jerome A. Lewis has published Moral Psychology: A Narrative Approach, a textbook designed for undergraduate students and general readers. The book will serve as the primary text for Bellevue University's PY 396: Moral Psychology course and introduces readers to an expanding subfield of psychology focused on the forces that shape moral beliefs, judgments and behavior.
Key Facts
- Dr. Jerome A. Lewis, associate professor of psychology at Bellevue University, authored Moral Psychology: A Narrative Approach.
- Dr. Lewis wrote the textbook after developing Bellevue University's Moral Psychology course and identifying a need for undergraduate-level resources in the field.
- The text uses stories, parables and real-life events to explain moral psychology research and theory.
- The book will be used in PY 396: Moral Psychology beginning in Winter 2026.
- Bellevue University is one of the few universities in the country with a course offering in moral psychology.
- Dr. Lewis's research focuses on moral psychology, victimology and social cognition.
Meeting a Need in Moral Psychology Education
As interest in moral psychology continues to grow, Dr. Jerome Lewis saw a need for a resource written specifically for undergraduate learners. He developed Moral Psychology: A Narrative Approach after creating Bellevue University's Moral Psychology course and finding few textbooks that introduced the subject in an accessible format while maintaining academic depth.
The book examines questions such as how people determine right from wrong, why individuals reach different moral conclusions about the same behavior and how emotions, intuition, reasoning and identity influence moral judgments. Through stories, parables and real-world examples, the text guides readers through research and theories that explain the psychological forces behind human morality.
I wrote Moral Psychology: A Narrative Approach to give students and general readers an accessible introduction to a field that influences many aspects of everyday life. By using stories and real-world examples, the book helps readers understand how psychological processes shape moral beliefs, judgments and behavior.
Exploring a Growing Field of Research
Moral Psychology: A Narrative Approach leads readers through an interdisciplinary field that draws from psychology, philosophy, neuroscience and related areas of study. The book explores how people make moral decisions, evaluate behavior and develop values throughout their lives.
Dr. Lewis's research interests include moral psychology, victimology and social cognition. Through Bellevue University's Victim Role Research Group, he studies the victim role, prosocial behavior and how people evaluate everyday moral transgressions.
Founded in 1966, Bellevue University is a non-profit university with more than 70,000 graduates worldwide. The University is a recognized national leader in preparing students for lifelong success with career-relevant knowledge and skills, while making college affordable. Routinely ranked among the nation’s top military and accessible institutions, the University serves residential students at its main campus in Bellevue, Nebraska, and everywhere online with more than 85 degree programs uniquely designed for working adults. The University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org).