PSY CH. 10

What causes a child to advance through the Kohlberg Stages

Equalibium and conflict (Piaget) as a Bob's moral schema is challenged Bob adjusts his schema to avoid disequalibrium peer interaction is critical

How did Kohlberg arrive at his theory?

He spent 20 years questioning children of different ages about different moral dilemmas (11 to be exact).

Criticisms of Kohlberg's theory of moral development

It puts too much emphasis on moral thought and not actions (people can think moral thoughts and do immoral actions) It is culturally biased and not actually universal Family does actually play a role in moral development It is gender biased (focuses on the justice perspective which is more male) doesn't consider social conventional reasoning

The Kohlberg Stages

Level 1: Preconventional Reasoning Level 2: Conventional Reasoning Level 3: Postconventional Reasoning

What are the "underpinnings" for Kohlberg's theory of moral development?

Piaget's theory of moral development ( heteronomous morality/autonomous morality)

5 peer statuses

Popular children - rarely disliked, often labeled as best friend Average Children - average number of both positive and negative nominations from peers Neglected children - infrequently nominated as best friend but aren't actively disliked Rejected children - infrequently nominated as best friend and are actively disliked Controversial children - frequently nominated as best friend and disliked

social conventional reasoning vs moral reasoning

Social conventional reasoning- focuses on arbitrary rules established by consensus to maintain the social system and order (raising hand to talk) (involves social organization) Moral reasoning - focuses on ethical issues and rules of morality (involves justice)

how does interaction with peers change with age

The older the more time spent interacting with peers Children prefer same gendered peers until 12

Key concept in the progression of Kohlberg's stages

a childs sense of morality gradually becomes more "internal" aka "mature" away from the external/superficial morality of younger life

Prosocial Behavior

any action intended to help others

3 possible components of moral personality

moral identity - Moral identity is created when moral notions/commitments are central to ones life. Moral self is constructed with reference to moral categories. Breaking the commitments jeopardizes the self. moral character - Someone with moral character can has the willpower/desire/integrity to stand up to prussure/overcome distractions and disappointments. Will behave morally. moral exemplars - Examples of people that have led outstanding moral lives.

Care perspective (Carol Gilligan)

moral perspective that emphasizes interpersonal communication, connectedness, and concern for others.

Justice perspective

moral perspective that focuses more on rights of the individual and in which individuals independently make moral decisions.

domain theory of moral development

there are different domains of of social knowledge and reasoning. Moral domain Social conventional domain Personal domain They develop by dealing with different forms of social experiances

Social cognition

thoughts about social situations. i.e. Sally misinterpreting a trip as an act of aggression and Bob thinking that interpretation is innapropriate