Moral Development

Bellringer In your groups, list 5 values or morals you would teach if you were to create your own society. 
-What if everybody can’t agree on which values?
 -What if the school board or parents object to which values you’re teaching?

Today We will analyze the difference between morals and values, and identify how our understanding of them develops in childhood.

Morals vs. Values MORALS what society views as right or wrong EX: It is not morally right to steal. VALUES An individual’s perspective of right or wrong EX: I value honesty, so I will not steal.

Morals vs. Values Go back to your whiteboards, and label each moral and value.

Scenario: Jonathan As we read, THINK…. Should Jonathan cheat? Why or why not? Should Jonathan ask his classmate to go to the dance with him? Why or why not? Should Jonathan implicate his best friend? Why or why not?

Kohlberg’s Six Stages of Moral Development Aim: To understand how moral reasoning grew as people grew older. 72 Chicago boys aged 10–16 years, 58 of were followed up at three-yearly intervals for 20 years Were asked questions about the “Heinz Dilemma”

Kohlberg’s Six Stages of Moral Development Heinz could only raise half the money, even after help from family and friends. He explained to the chemist that his wife was dying and asked if he could have the drug cheaper or pay the rest of the money later. The chemist refused saying that he had discovered the drug and was going to make money from it. The husband was desperate to save his wife, so later that night he broke into the chemist’s and stole the drug. Heinz’s wife was dying from a particular type of cancer. Doctors said a new drug might save her. The drug had been discovered by a local chemist and the Heinz tried desperately to buy some, but the chemist was charging ten times the money it cost to make the drug and this was much more than the Heinz could afford.

Kohlberg’s Six Stages of Moral Development Children were asked the following questions: 1. Should Heinz have stolen the drug?
2. Would it change anything if Heinz did not love his wife?
3. What if the person dying was a stranger, would it make any difference?
4. Should the police arrest the chemist for murder if the woman died? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GTzBrjxKHLg

Stage 1: Obedience and Punishment Moral decisions are based on the consequences of the action. “Will I be punished?” 4:00

Stage 2: Individualism and exchange Moral decisions are decided on the benefits derived from the action (satisfying needs). “Will I get what I want?” 5:10 Decisions are also made on the principle of reciprocity. One might ask, “Does the victim deserve it?” or “what do I get in exchange?” What does “reciprocity” mean (in your own words)?

Stage 3: Interpersonal relationships Moral decisions are determined by evaluating the action in terms of love and approval of family and friends. 5:45 EX: “Will my family or friends get mad at me?”

Stage 4: Authority and social order Moral decisions are based on the law and/or religious beliefs. 7:00 EX: “Is it right according to the law?”

Stage 5: Social Contract Moral decisions are based on fairness, justice, and truth. Sometimes, the law isn’t always morally right. 8:15 EX: Movements against the government during the Civil Rights movement

Stage 6: Universal principles People develop own moral guidelines which may or may not fit the law The person will be prepared to act to defend these principles even if it means going against the rest of society in the process and having to pay the consequences of disapproval and or imprisonment. EX: Human rights, justice, equality

Review your responses to the questions below about Jonathan. Scenario: Jonathan Review your responses to the questions below about Jonathan. What stage are you in? 1. Should Jonathan cheat? Why or why not? 2. Should Jonathan ask his classmate to go to the dance with him? Why or why not? 3. Should Jonathan implicate his best friend? Why or why not?

Group Practice Directions: Brainstorm common moral dilemmas for high school students. Then, write which stage of moral development people might be in. Ex: Bullying – authority and social order

Exit Ticket (In journals) Moral stage questions

Announcement! Unit 4 Exam February 10 & 11