kohlberg

Question 1

what theory is it

Answer 1

individualistic and cognitive

Question 2

what do cognitive theories argue

Answer 2

mental processes shape our behaviour - how we interpret a situation affects how we respond it

Question 3

what does his theory state

Answer 3

• we develop ideas of what is morally right and wrong from what we process as accepted behaviour
• criminals are stuck in a pre moral state of immaturity - haven’t developed moral understanding for what is acceptable
• haven’t processed this
• instead they are stuck on what they see will bring them reward

Question 4

STRENGTH: how can studies support his theory

Answer 4

they suggest that delinquents are more likely to have immature moral development as the theory predicts

Question 5

STRENGTH: what did thornton and reid find

Answer 5

that this is truer for crimes such as robbery and crimes of passion because they are premeditated and require a conscious thought process to get the rewards as they dont have the morals to tell them its wrong

Question 6

WEAKNESS: how does the theory not explain crime caused by external factors

Answer 6

he focuses on moral thinking rather than moral behaviour - someone may be perfectly capable of thinking morally whilst acting immorally
EXAMPLE:
mother trying to feed starving child -> steals to feed -> acting immorally but thinking morally