Download Determinants of Moral Development

Moral Development
Kohlberg's Theory
Kohlberg believed moral development unfolded in a series of discrete stages
in an unchangeable sequence.
There are three different levels with two different stages, each are evaluated
by using hypothetical moral dilemmas.
The first level is the preconventional level: moral problems are interpreted in
terms of physical or material concerns (punishment and reward) and
hedonistic wishes.
Stage 1:
The second level is the conventional level: morality is considered through
mutual interpersonal expectations or social system and conscious.
The third level is the postconventional level: distinguishes between basic
human rights and obligations.
Age-related Changes in Moral Reasoning
There are clear relationship between age and moral reasoning.
Stage 3 peaks in late adolescence or early adulthood, and then, declines.
Stage 4 usually does not appear in 10-year-olds but is reflected in the
majority of judgments in 36-year-old.
Stage 5 does not appear until the age of 22, and is usually seen in less than
10 percent of participants' judgments.
Determinants of Moral Development
Chronological age by itself is not a prime determinant of moral change.
Attainment of postconventional morality is dependent on achievement of
formal operations.
Advanced moral reasoning is dependent on the growth of postformal styles
of thinking within the domain of personal knowledge.
Postconventional morality has much in common with Baltes' concept of
wisdom.
Moral development is promoted by social environments that give the
individual a broad range of role-taking experiences and real-life positions of
moral responsibility.
The importance of Moral Development
Individuals should improve in the effectiveness of decisions about moral
dilemmas.
Postconventional reasoner’s bring a broader, more balanced point of view to
a moral problem.
Moral reasoning is related to moral behavior
Moral reasoning is related to how adults cope with negative life events in
that they are able to make better decisions for their treatments and
adjustments.
Alternatives and Criticisms to Kohlberg's Theory
Carol Gilligan views Kohlberg's theory as male-biased; adult males are more
likely to be scored in the higher stage 4 and females as stage 3 due to male
justice orientation and female relationship orientation.
Moral problems in real-life contexts have little in common with Kohlberg's
hypothetical dilemmas.
Kohlberg’s Theory of Moral Reasoning
Three Level of Moral Reasoning
(2 stages within each level)
Level 1: Preconventional morality—People, under external
controls, obey rules to avoid punishment; or they act in
own self interest, recognizing that others will do the same.
Typical of ages 4-10
Level II: Conventional morality----Morality of
conventional role conformity. People have internalized the
standards of authority figures. Concerned about being
“good”, pleasing and caring for others, and maintaining the
social order. Typically reached after age 10—many never
reach it.
Level III: Postconventional morality---Morality of
autonomous moral principles. Morality is fully internal.
People now recognize conflicts between moral standards
and make own moral judgments on basis of principles of
right, fairness, and justice. Reached about age 13, more
commonly in young adulthood, if ever