Kolbergs Theory of Moral Development

Kolberg

Psychologist Lawrence Kohlberg proposed that moral values are learned, as children develop the ability to think and reason. Through moral development, we acquire values, beliefs and thinking abilities that guide responsible behaviour. To study moral development, Kohlberg posed dilemmas to children of different ages. Each child was then asked what action the person in the dilemma should take. Kohlberg classified the reasons given for each choice and identified three levels of moral development. Each is based not so much on the choices made, but on the reasoning used to arrive at a choice. In addition to the three major levels, Kohlberg identified six stages of moral reasoning. Two stages occur in each of the three levels.

Similarities between Kohlberg's theory of moral development and Piaget's theory of cognitive development

- Both refer to cognitive processes. - Both suggest that individuals master one stage before progressing to the next.

Conventional level Stage 3

- Moral Focus Mutual interpersonal expectations, conformity, and relationships Content/characteristics Following rules, living up to the expectations of others and maintaining trust, gratitude, respect and loyalty. Heinz should steal the medicine because his wife expects it - Heinz should not steal the drug because if his wife dies he can't be blamed; the doctor is the heartless one

Preconventional level: Stage 1

Child assumes that powerful authorities hand down a fixed set of rules which they must unquestioningly obey. Kohlberg calls stage 1 thinking 'preconventional' because children do not yet speak as members of society. Instead they see morality as something external to themselves, or as that which 'big' people say they must do. This stage takes an egocentric point of view as children in this stage do not relate to the points of view of others. Actions are judged on what the physical consequences will be (punishment), rather than the psychological interests of others. w Example relating to moral dilemma: the husband should not steal the drug because he will go to prison.

Preconventional level: Stage 2

In this stage, the child can separate their own interests and points of view from the interests and points of view of others and the authorities. Children will begin to realise that everyone has their own needs to pursue and these may conflict with others. Therefore Kohlberg felt that a sense of reciprocity is in action here; that is, children will do the right thing mostly to satisfy their own needs, but they also realise that others have needs to be met as well. Children reason that, by taking the right action, they usually earn some tangible sort of reward. w Example relating to moral dilemma: the husband should steal the drug, because he will be much happier if he saves his wife, even if he has to go to prison.

Conventional level Stage 4

- Moral Focus Social system and maintenance of ones conscience Content/Characteristics Doing ones duty, taking the view of the system, obeying laws and upholding the social order - Heinz should not steal the medicine. Because the law prohibits stealing - Heinz should steal the drug because it's his duty to save his wofe, but he must take his punishment because he has broken the law.

Postconventional level Stage 6

- Moral Focus Universal ethical principles and moral point of view Content/Characteristics Commitment to the universal principles of justice Respect for others - Heinz should steal the medicine, because saving a human life is a more fundamental value than the property right Heinz should not stela the medicine, because that violates the rule of honesty and respect.

Preconventional level Stage 1

- Moral Focus Punishment and obedience Egocentric Content/Characteristics Does no recognize different points of view Confuses perspective of authority with one's own Example relating to moral dilemma: Heinz should not steal the medicine because he will go to prison.

Conventional level

- Moral thinking based on a desire to please others or to follow accepted rules and values.

Postconventional level

- Moral thinking based on carefully examined and self-chosen moral principles.

Preconventional level

- Moral thinking based on the consequence of one's choices or actions - punishment, reward, or an exchange of favours.

Contributions of Kohlberg's theory of moral development

- One of the first theorists to expand on piagets work to create the moral development theory - Mortality is something can change over an individuals life span - The stages occurred in the order that Kolberg proposed about moral development - Kohlberg identified three distinct levels of moral reasoning: preconventional, conventional, and postconventional. Each level has two sub-stages. - People can only pass through these levels in the order listed. Each new stage replaces the reasoning typical of the earlier stage. Not everyone achieves all the stages. The 3 levels of moral reasoning include

Preconventional level Stage 2

Moral Focus Individual, instrumental and concrete Content/Characteristics Aware of different interests and that these may conflict Instrumental exchange of services, goodwill and fairness. Heinz should steal the medicine, because he will be much happier if he saves his wife.

Postconventional level Stage 5

Moral Focus Rights and social Contract Content/Characteristics Asserting and integrating basic rights , values and legal contracts Laws as social contracts -Heinz should steal the medicine, because everyone has the right to live, regardless of the law. - Heinz should not steal the medicine because the doctor has a right to fair compensation.

Preconventional level:

Moral thinking is guided by the consequences of actions -punishment, reward or an exchange of favours.

Contributions and Limitations #1

Name of researcher: Gilligan. w He believed that Kohlberg's theory displayed gender bias. He believed this because the theory was developed using only male participants and therefore reflected male morality. Gilligan suggests that Kohlberg's theory ignores the female-oriented morality, which is based on compassion, and care and therefore women tend to be rated as at lower stages of moral reasoning than men.

Contributions and Limitations #2

Name of researcher: Shweder. w He believed that Kohlberg's theory displayed cultural bias. He believed that it does not take into account cultural context and therefor individual's level of moral development was higher in Western individualistic cultures. For example, in their study 39 scenarios were given to participants in India and the USA. Participants had to decide whether the scenarios were wrong, and if so, how wrong. Both cultures agreed that incest was a serious wrong. Most other scenarios did not match/agree. Indian participants believed that a serious violation was to eat chicken and get a haircut after a father's death whereas USA participants believed beating a disobedient wife was a serious wrong.

Postconventional level:

advanced moral reasoning that follows self-accepted moral principles.

Conventional level:

reasoning is based on a desire to please others or to follow accepted rules and values.

Postconventional level: Stage 6

w At times when facing a moral dilemma, an individual may be guided by universal ethical principles that all humanity should follow. When a law or society's rules violate these principles, the one would act in accordance to the principle. A universal principle is a 'rule' that would be applied all around the world. Some of the universal principles include things like the principle of justice, that all men and women are equal and have equal rights, and we should have respect for the dignity of the individual. This way Kohlberg believed that any rational individual would recognise that the nature of morality rests on respect for other people, that laws and rules are there to guide us, not to be the only way to make decisions regarding moral issues. w Example relating to moral dilemma: there are two possible answers. One: the husband should steal the medicine because saving a human life is a more fundamental value than the property rights of another person. Two: the husband should not steal the medicine, because that violates the rule of honesty and respect.

Conventional level: Stage 4

w In this stage the individual will start to feel more like it is their duty to uphold the rules of the social system in which they live so as to maintain the welfare of the whole society or group. Instead of a couple of people being in agreement, the person's conscience in this moral development stage looks at the societal point of view to maintain order. It does not matter whether or not two people agree - we all have to do what is 'right' for our society. w Example relating to moral dilemma: the husband should not steal the drug, because the law prohibits stealing.

Postconventional level: Stage 5

w In this stage, the person will uphold the basic rights, values and legal contracts of a society, even when they are not in accordance with the rules and laws of the group. This is really a stage where social contract is upheld and when emotional bonds and relationships are put aside. This might cause some difficulty for a person to come to terms with. An individual will consider the moral point of view and the legal point of view; they will recognise the conflict and then find it difficult to integrate them. w Example relating to moral dilemma: there are two possible answers. One: the husband should steal the drug, because everyone has a right to live, regardless of the law. Two: the husband should not steal the drug, because the pharmacist has a right to fair compensation.

Conventional level: Stage 3

w There is a considerable degree of conformity during this stage, since children will learn that they must live up to rules in order to get praise or approval from others. They are better at being able to 'put themselves in another persons shoes', to be less egocentric in their way of thinking and more aware of shared feelings, agreements and expectations. w Example relating to moral dilemma: the husband should steal the drug, because his wife expects it.