Kohlberg Flashcards
What does right or wrong concept depend on?
On the person’s morality. Morals are learnt from your environment. Therefore, it’s completely independent
Who is Lawrence kohlberg?
Interested in developing of morality in children. He was unsatisfied with the predominate theories of time that explained morality in behaviourist or psychodynamic terms.
What was the aim?
To investigate the development of moral reasoning in children to create a series of stages that could apply to all. Done through using a longitudinal study, same group of boys were assessed on their responses to moral scenarios over number of years. Conducted similar number on different cultures to show moral development was universal
What was the methodology?
75 american boys aged 10-16 and interviewed again at ages 22-26, a longitudinal study using interviews, qualitative data was collected
What were the findings ?
Found that moral development can be split into three stages
-preconventional
-conventional
-postconventional
Kohlberg state that stages come one at a time and always in the same order. All movement is forwards in sequence and not skip stages. Children may move through the stages at varying speeds. May be found half in and half out of particular stage. An individual might stop at any stage.
What were the procedures?
Presented each child with nine hypothetical moral dilemmas. They were asked to decide on the correct course of action and what the moral thing to do is. Each dilemma involved a conflict between two moral issues, and asked series of specific open questions . It was a semi structured interview. Their response answers later analysed and general themes were identified. -These themes were used as basis for stages of moral development. The children were asked similar questions three years later and changes in their moral reasoning were recorded. Later compared his findings with those from other cultures to see if there existed cultural differences in moral development
What is the preconventional stage?
Most common level of morality in young children. Based on the actions and direct consequences. Children only see morality in terms how actions will affect themselves. They don’t understand society’s right or wrong.
Stage 1- Obedience and punishment orientation, Actions only seen as wrong if perpetrator is punished for them. The worse the punishment, the worse the act was.
Stage 2-The instrumental purpose orientation, the child is more concerned with ‘‘what’s in it for me’’. Moral behaviour is defined by self interest. How one serves child’s interests.
What is the conventional stage?
Most common type of reasoning with adolescents and many adults. Individual asses morality by comparing with society’s views and expectations. Individual accepts and obeys society’s norms.
Stage 3- Interpersonal cooperation, individual seeks approval from others and avoids disapproval by following society’s norms.Learned that by being good that it benefits them. Consequences are now judged by how they affect an individual relationships.
Stage 4- The social order maintaining orientation, Emphasis on following orders, important for maintaining a functioning society rather than the need for approval. Understanding right or wrong comes from outside force but one understands reasoning behind morality
What is the postconventional stage?
Realization that an individual is separate from society. Society’s views clash with personal views. Disobeying society can be seen as acceptable. Morality is judged by abstract concepts such as human rights. Rules are seen as useful but need not be adhered to absolutely and may be changed. Morality is based on ones moral evaluation of the society’s rules.
Stage 5- The social contract orientation, morality is seen as flexible. What is considered right or wrong may be different for everyone. Laws are seen as ‘‘social contracts’’ rather than rigid rules. Rule should be changed to achieve greatest good for the greatest number of people
Stage 6- The universal ethical principles orientation, Reasoning is based on abstract ideals and ethical principles. Laws are seen as valid if they are grounded in justice
