The Development of Morality HRE 4O1Unit 2

Different Stages of Morality  The Morality of Childhood –Children obey their parents because they fear punishment. For children, they do what their parents want so they will be pleased with them –As they grow, children come to appreciate the importance of laws and rules –However, children perceive rules and laws as outside of themselves – they are someone else’s rules for living – and their job is to follow along

Different Stages of Morality  The morality of adolescence –There is an array of peer values to choose from, many of them enforced by the mass media –To be accepted teenagers many uncritically adopt the values of a peer group –This can be a typical and normal stage of development, but eventually they must learn to trust their own judgments and opinions so their reliance on peers’ opinions is not as strong

Different Stages of Morality  The morality of adulthood –Morality requires judgment based on the values that are within them, not imposed upon them –The values of adults are often those they grew up with, however, they have made these values their own –The important thing for mature adults is that their values and principles are a part of themselves

Erik Erikson: The Development of Freedom and Morality  Erikson ( ) was an American psychoanalyst  Erikson’s psycho-social stage suggests that personality development occurs as we develop physically and cognitively (knowing facts and knowledge)

Erik Erikson: The Development of Freedom and Morality  This development takes place as a result of socialization with parents, teachers and influential members of society  Erikson discovered that a person’s individual growth is connected to the relationships that we have with others, and that this personal growth is a process that occurs in stages

Erik Erikson: The Development of Freedom and Morality  Each stage which overall spans our whole lives, presents each person with a challenge to be overcome before moving (growing) into the next stage

Stages of Transition in Life  Erikson’s Developmental Stages –Infant: Trust vs. Mistrust –Toddler: Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt –Preschooler: Initiative vs. Guilt –School-Age Child: Industry vs. Inferiority

Stages of Transition in Life  Erikson’s Developmental Stages cont’d… Adolescent: Identity vs. Role confusion –Young adult: Intimacy vs. Isolation –Middle-Age adult: Generativity vs. Stagnation –Older Adult: Integrity vs. Despair

Developmental Tasks during the Adolescent Stage  In order to accurately mature and move through this stage there are a number of developmental tasks that should be accomplished: 1. Development a sense of identity 2. Growing autonomy 3. Renewing oneself by learning and creating 4. Gaining competencies 5. Selecting a career and taking an adult job 6. Constructing and living out a value system 7. Integrating sexuality into one’s life 8. Making friends and living with intimacy 9. Making loving commitments 10. Reflecting on religion 11. Taking part in the larger community Is there one transition you have already been through? List and/or describe the painful and hazardous elements and the opportunities of the experience of transition.