Download Kohlberg`s theory of moral development

Kohlberg's theory of
moral development
By: Bianca Alejandro and
Emely Alvarez
Based on the basic studies he conducted his experimental evidence
using both methods:
-cross section studies a research method which uses a group(s) of
participants of different ages who are studied and compared, and
-longitudinal research that is over a long period of time.
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Moral dilemma is a social problem which has 2 or more solutions
each of which is particularly ‘wrong’ in a certain way.
 Moral meaning the difference between right and wrong with
accordance to a particular society or culture.
 His theory includes 3 levels and 2 stages in each level
-Preconvention level :obedience and punishment orientation
naively egotistical orientation.
-Conventional level: Good boy/nice girl orientation
Law-and-social-maintaining orientation
-Post conventional level: Legistic social-contract orientation
Universal ethical orientation
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Stage1-Obedience and punishment orientation
Children follow the rules to avoid punishment. To tell the difference between
right or wrong children must have a punishment to understand the
difference but if the act was not noticed or punished they will not think
the act is wrong doing ,so the harshness of the punishment will tell how
worse an act is.
Stage2-Naively egotistical orientation
children do the right things not because they think its ‘right’ they do this due
to the reward that they might receive. by this stage people are able to
relate each other to someone's else's, they maybe concerned about
somebody but is more likely to do the right thing when given a reward.
Pre-conventional level (0-9)
Cheating on the test because he will get
a new comic book if he passes
Not cheating because the teacher might
get angry or catch him cheating and he
wouldn’t get a reward
Pre-conventional (stage1&2)
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Early adolescence, most people have matured to the ‘conventional level` of moral
development, they are considerate of thought and feelings of others
Stage 3- Tend to follow rules, avoid punishment, they do this to gain approval of
others, gain praise for those who are important in their lives.
Do the right thing to gain social acceptance, not because they are scared of
punishment
Generally do the right thing to avoid feeling guilty
Like having others think they are ‘nice` or ‘good`. They think it is important
Have difficulty saying no to there friends and resisting peer pressure
All leads to awareness of rules and behaviour, which then leads to the development
of respect
Stage 4- focus shifts to social institutions, school, friends, law
Seeks to avoid the guilt and shame which comes from police man and teachers
Like stage 3, stage 4 individuals tend to maintain social order, follow the law.
EG- in the car with there mother, they will warn their parent about driving at 40km
in a school zone
This stage adolescent is more likely to refuse a friend to copy there work.
Moral behaviour, Law abiding behaviour.
Conventional level (9-15)
Friends pushing you into situation
where you might feel
uncomfortable.
In the car with their mother, they
will warn their parent about driving
40km in a school zone.
Conventional level (stage 3&4)
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Post-conventional level: involves the mentality and the individual listens
to their conscience of what is right rather than following the law.
This is because morals may conflict with legal issues and only people that
are on the stages 5 or 6 decide to follow morals instead of society
A person below stage 5 or 6 believe that laws can be changed if it is to
serve people on better basis.
People in stage 5 or 6 believe that laws can be changed if it is to serve
people on better basis.
Stage 5or6 people tend not to be with the crowd. They tend to develop
more individual ways of thinking.
However not all individuals have been through all of Kohlberg’s stages.
When a person has reached a higher stage, they generally don’t go back
and change their moral level of reasoning.
Post conventional level the stage from 16 yrs on wards in which true
morality develops and decisions on what is morally ‘right’ are guided by
ones conscience.
Post-conventional level (16+)
Fighting against the system, seeing
inequality as a rampant evil against
moral judgement.
Choosing more individual ideas that fit
into their moral judgements.
Post-conventional (5&6)
Based on the western culture, no other
cultures are involved.
 Based only on males not females
 Children not being able to interpret
thoughts due to cognitive developments
 Not every one is placed in the situations
they where placed for.
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Criticisms of his theory
KOHLBERGS STAGES OF MORAL
DEVELOPMENT
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http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/
d/df/Kohlberg_moral_stages_vop.gif
Bibliography