1. Moral Development

2. Moral Action Morality is doing the right thing
What we do depends on our thinking and social influences
b/c of social influences people’s willingness to cheat, discriminate, smoke are not determined by attitudes

3. Lawrence Kohlberg
Sought to describe the development of moral reasoning – right and wrong

4. 3 levels 1. Preconventional morality – before the age of 9
Obey either to avoid punishment or to gain rewards
Satisfying one’s own needs
Also made on the principle of reciprocity
“does the victim deserve it?”

5. 2. Conventional Level By early adolescence
Care for others, uphold laws and social rules because they are laws and rules
-action may gain social approval or maintain social order

6. 3. Postconventional Morality
Usually found in adults
-affirms people’s agreed-upon rights – ex. People have the right to live
Or follows what one personally perceives as basic ethical principles
Fairness, truth, justice, not impulsive
“is there a higher good that can come from the action I do?”