Forensic Psychology - Kohlberg

Question 1

What is a strength of Kohlbergs moral reasoning ?

Answer 1

There is evidence supporting a link between level of moral reasoning and offending.

• Palmer and Hollin (1998) compared moral reasoning between 210 female non-offenders, 122 male non-offenders and 126 convicted offenders using the Socio-Moral Reflection Measure-Short Form.

The offending group showed less mature moral reasoning than the non- offending groups.

• This is consistent with Kohlberg’s predictions.

Question 2

What is a limitation of Kohlberg ? (Alternatives)

Answer 2

Alternative theories for moral reasoning

Gibbs -> proposed revised version of Kohlbergs theory
Two levels of reasoning : mature and immature which are the equivalent to Kohlbergs pre-conventional and conventional levels

Removed -> post conventional level because it was culturally biased towards western cultures + not representative of a maturational stage of development.

This suggests Kohlbergs level of moral reasoning theory lacks validity + likely does not accurately represent moral development in real life

+ gibbs theory is also supported by Paiget’s theory of moral development.

Question 3

What is another limitation of Kohlbergs ? ( depends on offence)

Answer 3

The level of moral reasoning may depend on the type of offence.

• Thornton and Reid (1982) found that individuals who committed crimes for financial gain such as robbery -> more likely to show pre-conventional moral reasoning than those convicted of impulsive crimes such as assault where reasoning of any kind tended not to be evident.
• This suggests that level of moral reasoning -> may only explain certain crimes