cog. level of moral reasoning. Kohlberg

Question 1

Kohlberg’s (1968) stage theory of moral development

Answer 1

people’s moral decisions can be summarised in a stage theory of moral development

the higher the stage the more sophisticated the reasoning

based on people’s responses to a series of moral dilemmas e.g. Heinz Dilemma

Question 2

criminals vs non criminals reasoning

Answer 2

criminals tend to show a lower level of moral reasoning than non-criminals

Kohlberg (1973), using his moral dilemmas, found that a group of violent youths were at a significantly lower level of moral development than non-violent youths (even when controlling for social background)

Question 3

criminals vs non-criminals levels

Answer 3

criminal offenders more likely to be classified at the pre-conventional level, whereas non-criminals generally progress to the conventional level and beyond

Question 4

pre-conventional level

Answer 4

characterised by a need to avoid punishment and gain rewards
associated with childlike reasoning

people who reason at this level may commit a crime if they can get away with it or gain rewards in the form of money, respect, etc.

supported by studies which suggest that offenders are often more egocentric and display poorer social perspective-taking skills than non-offenders (Chandler, 1973)

Question 5

higher levels

Answer 5

individuals who reason at higher levels tend to sympathise more with the rights of others and exhibit behaviours such as honesty, generosity and non-violence

Question 6

research support

Answer 6

palmer and hollin (1998) compared moral reasoning 332 non-offenders 126 convicted offenders using socio moral reflection measure short form (SRM-SF). contains 11 moral dilemma-related questions e.g. not taking others belongings.
offender group less mature moral reasoning.

consistent with kohlberg’s predicitons

Question 7

limitation

Answer 7

may depend on offence.
thornton and reid (1982)- those who committed crimes for financial gain, e.g. robbery, more likely to show pre-convential moral reasoning than those convicted of impulse crimes, e.g. assault.
pre-conventional moral reasoning associated with crimes where offenders believe good chance of evading punishment.

suggests kohlberg’s theory may not apply to all forms of crime.

Question 8

thinking vs behaviour

Answer 8

useful- provides insight into mechanics of criminal mind. offenders more childlike and egocentric when making moral judgements.

issue- moral thinking not same as moral behaviour. krebs and denton (2005)- moral reasoning likely used to justify behaviour after it has happened.
heinz dilemma- hypothetical, may not reflect real-life moral decisions, low external validity.
may be poor predictor of real-life behaviour. can’t explain why some don’t act on criminal thoughts, or why others do.