Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 Lawrence Kohlberg Kohlberg sees moral development as a more gradual process than Piaget, but still one that progresses through set stages. Kohlberg sees moral development as a more gradual process than Piaget, but still one that progresses through set stages. Also like Piaget, he believed that it was the thinking behind moral judgments that was crucial in determining the child's level. Also like Piaget, he believed that it was the thinking behind moral judgments that was crucial in determining the child's level.
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 For example, most children believe that it is wrong to break the law. For example, most children believe that it is wrong to break the law. However, the reasons they give are indicative of their reasoning, so 'because it is wrong' would suggest a low level of moral development. However, the reasons they give are indicative of their reasoning, so 'because it is wrong' would suggest a low level of moral development.
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 Level I: Preconventional moral reasoning Stage 1 “might makes right” Punishment/obedience orientation: self-interest Stage 2 “look out for number one” Instrumental/relativist orientation: quid pro quo Level II: Conventional moral reasoning Stage 3 “good girl, nice boy” Proper behavior for the social approval Stage 4 “law and order” Proper behavior of the dutiful citizen, obey laws Level III: Postconventional moral reasoning Stage 5 “social contract” Mutual benefit to all, obey society’s rules Stage 6 “universal ethical principles” Defend right/wrong, not just majority, all life is sacred (reflective) Kohlberg’s Theory of Moral Development
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 Kohlberg’s Stages of Moral Reasoning I. Preconventional Morality – Behavior motivated by anticipation of pleasure or pain. – – STAGE 1: PUNISHMENT AND OBEDIENCE: – Avoidance of physical punishment and deference to power. – – STAGE 2: INSTRUMENTAL EXCHANGE: – Exchange of favors or blows. "You scratch my back, I'll scratch yours."
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 Kohlberg’s Stages of Moral Reasoning B. CONVENTIONAL MORALITY: Acceptance of the rules and standards of one's group. STAGE 3: INTERPERSONAL CONFORMITY: Individual acts to gain approval of others. Good behavior is that which pleases or helps others within the group. One earns approval by being conventionally "respectable" and "nice." STAGE 4: LAW AND ORDER: Respect for rules, laws and properly constituted authority.
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 Kohlberg’s Stages of Moral Reasoning C. POSTCONVENTIONAL OR PRINCIPLED MORALITY : Ethical principles STAGE 5: PRIOR RIGHTS AND SOCIAL CONTRACT: Moral action in a specific situation is not defined by reference to a checklist of rules, but from logical application of moral principles.
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 Kohlberg’s Stages of Moral Reasoning STAGE 6: UNIVERSAL ETHICAL PRINCIPLES: An individual who reaches this stage acts out of universal principles based upon the equality and worth of all human beings. STAGE 6: UNIVERSAL ETHICAL PRINCIPLES: An individual who reaches this stage acts out of universal principles based upon the equality and worth of all human beings.
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 Kohlberg's Moral Development Theory Watch Kohlberg’s SocialWorkexam video
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 Kohlberg's Moral Development Theory Insert Kohlberg's Moral Development Theory video
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 Kohlberg's Moral Development Theory Younger children see the act as a simply wrong with no black and white. Older children and adults see alternative aspects, such as human life is worth breaking the law
What Would You Do? Imagine a runaway trolley heading for five people. All of them will die unless you throw a switch that diverts the trolley to another track, where is would kill ONE person. What do you do????
Imagine the same dilemma, except that the only chance you have to save the people is to throw a stranger in front of the trolley, where his body would stop the trolley. What would you do?