Kohlberg

Question 1

What is the name of this study?

Answer 1

1968- the child as moral philosopher

Question 2

What are the aims of this study

Answer 2

To investigate the development of moral reasoning in children

Question 3

What was the methodology?

Answer 3

Longitudinal study (12 years)
75 young American boys interviewed every 3 years
10-16 years old
USA, Canada, uk, Mexico, turkey and taiwan

Question 4

What is the procedure?

Answer 4

• give each child 9 hypothetical moral dilemmas
• asked to decide the moral thing to do
• children assessed every 3 years, changes in moral reasoning

Question 5

How was the study carried out?

Answer 5

Open ended question
Semi structured interview
Analyse answers
Thèmes identified- for basic stages of moral development
Compare with findings from other countries to identify cultural differences in moral development

Question 6

What are the findings?

Answer 6

Moral development is split into 3 stages
Pre conventional
Conventional
Post conventional

Question 7

What is pre conventional?

Answer 7

Stage 1= obedience and punishment orientation
- ignores intentions behind a behaviour
Stage 2= The Instrumental Purpose Orientation
- children view actions as right if they satisfy their own needs

Question 8

What does conventional mean?

Answer 8

Stage 3- interpersonal cooperation
- what is right is defined by what is expected by others
Stage 4- the social order maintaining orientation
- what is right in terms of norms

Question 9

What is post conventional mean?

Answer 9

Stage 5- The Social Contract Orientation
- consistent with individual rights and interest of the majority
Stage 6- The Universal Ethical Principles Orientation
- individuals act in accordance with moral principles

Question 10

What are the cross cultural findings?

Answer 10

USA age 16- stage 4&5
Taiwan and Mexico- stage 3&4
Middle class all progressed quicker
Religion had no effect

Question 11

What are the conclusions of kohlberg?

Answer 11

Some children may not reach the final stage
Children’s development moves forward when confronted by a child a stage along

Question 12

Strengths of kohlbergs research

Answer 12

• longitudinal study, reduces participant variables
• standardised procedures, high internal reliability

Question 13

Limitations of kohlbergs research

Answer 13

• attrition
• andocentric (Gilligan= male morality may be different to female morality)
• lack of external validity, not based on real life decisions, may not make sense to children
• lack of internal validity, social desirability
• psychological harm, sensitive questions