Developmental Psychology: Moral

Question 1

Define: moral reasoning

Answer 1

Reasoning about what constitutes right and wrong that underpins ethical behaviour.

Question 2

Kohlberg’s theory

Answer 2

1981 - 6 stages

Based on responses of 10, 13 and 16 year old boys to various moral dilemmas.

Question 3

Define: preconventional morality

Answer 3

Concerned solely with individual and eternal consequences of actions

Haven’t internalised society’s conventions of right/wrong.

Question 4

Define: conventional morality

Answer 4

Individual tries to obey social rules and laws to maintain social order and be considered a good person.

Question 5

Define: postconventional morality

Answer 5

Depends on principles of justice beyond conventions and could be in conflict with written laws.

Question 6

Stage 1

Answer 6

Punishment and obedience
Egocentric

◦ depends on consequences
◦ obey authority to avoid punishment
◦ egocentric

Question 7

Stage 2

Answer 7

Individual, instrumental and concrete

◦ obeys rules for rewards or desired end
◦ different interests may conflict
◦ instrumental exchange of services, goodwill and fairness

Question 8

Stage 3

Answer 8

Mutual interpersonal expectations, conformity and relationships

◦ moral behaviour = approved by others or intended to please/help them
◦ follow rules, live up to expectations of others, and maintaining trust, gratitude, respect and loyalty

Question 9

Stage 4

Answer 9

Social system and maintenance of conscience

◦ considers perspective of society as a whole as reflected in law
◦ doing one’s duty, taking view of system, obeying laws and upholding social order

Question 10

Stage 5

Answer 10

Rights and social contract

◦ considers laws express viewpoint of mahority and are impartially imposed to be social contracts one is morally obliged to uphold
◦ asserting and integrating basic rights, values and legal contracts
◦ laws as social contracts

Question 11

Stage 6

Answer 11

Universal ethical principles and moral pov

◦ defines right and wrong on basis of own conscience, applying what they consider to be universal principles of justice
◦ commitment to universal principles of justice
◦ respect for others

Question 12

Support for theory

Answer 12

Shaffer (1999) - many studies show strong + correlation between age and moral reasoning level

Cross-sectional studies => couldn’t show sequence these were reached was invariant

Ann Colby et al (1983) - followed group of Kohlberg's participants for 20 years
◦ stages occur in proposed order
◦ stage 2 - 20%
◦ stage 3 - 60%
◦ stage 4 - 20%

Question 13

Criticisms

Answer 13

1) Gender bias

2) Culture bias

Question 14

Gender bias

Answer 14

◦ Male-oriented view of moral development
◦ Early research => women reached 3, men reached 4

Carol Gilligan (1982)
◦ different socialisation => different values
◦ males => independent and achievement-oriented = justice
◦ females => socially responsible and nurturing = care
◦ Examined moral reasoning of 29 American women, genuine conflict between personal choice and traditional female values of self-sacrifice and care for others
◦ Levels:
1) Self-interest
2) Self-sacrifice
3) Care as universal obligation

Criticism
◦ Durkin (1995) - reviews of many studies => most using Kohlberg’s techniques don’t show sex differences or not always in favours of males if they do.

Question 15

Culture bias

Answer 15

Cultures and religions have different ideas about what constitutes universal ethical principles

Schweder (1991)
◦ case study with Babaji, orthodox Hindu teacher
◦ Indian version of Heinz dilemma
◦ Hindu dharma (moral duty) forbids stealing under any circumstances
◦ ‘if he steals, it is a sin, so what virtue is there in saving a life?’ - stage 3/4.