7. Morality - Piaget Flashcards
Theory
Depending on our ages, we are at different developmental phases of morality
What causes changes in moral development?
Peers - this is where we develop our own ideas about morals through interactions, conflicts & resolutions
Parents - more heteronomous, an example of the authority crucial in the first few stages
Stages of Development
- Premoral period
- Heteronomous morality
- Autonomous morality
Premoral period
0-5 years
Uncertainty - too young for higher order thoughts or understanding morality
Make up own rules but listen to parents
Main focus: pleasure & joy
Heteronomous morality
5-10 years
Children see rules as absolute & unchangeable
Moral judgments are based on the consequences of or damage caused by their actions
Intentions do not matter, only the consequences of the action e.g. many cups example
Imminent justice
Expiratory punishment
Standard of right or wrong
Imminent justice
The belief that violation of a rule is followed by immediate consequences or punishment
Implies that bad things happen to bad people
*Expiratory punishment
Standard of right or wrong
Moral absolute
No grey, only black & white
Transition stage
Aspects of both are seen
Social sophistication
Co-operation, negotiation, settling disagreements
This is where peers really begin to influence things
Autonomous morality
11+
There is an understanding that rules can be changed depending on the circumstances & the people involved
Intention or motive rather than consequences
Not absolute - rules are created by people
Realization that punishment is not inevitable
Bad things can happen to good people
Reciprocal punishment
Reciprocal Punishment
Punishments should be related to crime
e.g. breaking a window means you pay for the window, not get sent to your room
Criticism
No sociocultural factors
Underestimates abilities
Biased - own children
In real life, stages can be discontinuous
Said peers & parents - focus should be on peers
Moral development takes longer than 10 years
