Kohlberg Flashcards
What theory did Kohlberg’s study build upon?
Jean Piaget’s theory of cognitive development, which suggested that moral reasoning develops through stages as children grow older.
What was Kohlberg’s key belief about moral development?
That moral reasoning develops in a universal sequence of stages influenced by cognitive development and experience, rather than simply being taught.
What was the main aim of Kohlberg’s study?
To investigate how moral reasoning changes as people age and whether the stages of moral development are universal across cultures.
What specific question did Kohlberg seek to answer?
Whether children progress through a set sequence of moral development stages and if this sequence is the same across different cultures.
Who were the participants in Kohlberg’s study?
75 American boys, aged 10–16 years at the start and followed up until they were 22–28 years old.
What type of study design did Kohlberg use?
A longitudinal study, following participants over a period of 12 years.
Did Kohlberg study other cultures?
Yes, he also tested participants from Canada, Taiwan, Mexico, and Turkey to explore cross-cultural differences in moral reasoning.
How did Kohlberg assess moral reasoning?
He presented participants with hypothetical moral dilemmas, asking them to discuss their reasoning for their decisions.
What was an example of a moral dilemma used?
The Heinz dilemma, where a man considers stealing a drug to save his dying wife.
How were responses analysed?
Kohlberg focused on the reasoning behind the answers rather than whether participants thought Heinz should steal the drug.
How many levels and stages are in Kohlberg’s theory of moral development?
Three levels, each with two stages, making a total of six stages.
What is Stage 1 of moral development?
Obedience and Punishment Orientation – Morality is based on avoiding punishment; actions are considered “wrong” if they lead to punishment.
What is Stage 2 of moral development?
Self-Interest Orientation (Instrumental Relativist Stage) – Moral decisions are based on personal gain or reciprocity (e.g., “What’s in it for me?”).
What is Stage 3 of moral development?
Good Interpersonal Relationships (Good Boy/Good Girl Stage) – Morality is based on seeking approval from others and maintaining good relationships.
What is Stage 4 of moral development?
Maintaining Social Order – Moral reasoning is based on obeying laws and maintaining social order, even if it goes against personal interests.
What is Stage 5 of moral development?
Social Contract and Individual Rights – Morality is based on recognizing that laws are social contracts that should be changed if they don’t benefit society.
What is Stage 6 of moral development?
Universal Ethical Principles – Morality is based on self-chosen ethical principles (e.g., justice, human rights) that may override laws.
What were the key findings of Kohlberg’s study?
Moral reasoning develops in a set order – no one skipped stages or moved backward.
As children grew older, their moral reasoning progressed to higher stages.
The sequence of moral development was consistent across cultures, but the speed of progression varied.
Did everyone reach Stage 6?
No, very few participants reached Stage 6, suggesting that the highest level of moral reasoning is rare.
What was Kohlberg’s main conclusion?
Moral reasoning develops through a universal sequence of stages, driven by cognitive development and social experiences.
How does Kohlberg’s study support his theory?
His findings showed that moral development is a gradual process and follows a fixed order in different cultures.
Why is Kohlberg’s study being longitudinal a strength?
It allows researchers to track moral development over time, rather than just capturing a snapshot.
How does the study being longitudinal improve validity?
It reduces the risk of individual differences affecting results, as the same participants were tested repeatedly.
Why is Kohlberg’s cross-cultural research a strength?
By testing participants from different cultures (e.g., USA, Taiwan, Mexico, Turkey), he showed that moral development occurs universally.
What does this suggest about his stages?
That they are not culture-specific and may apply to all societies.
How can Kohlberg’s study be applied in real life?
It can help in education and parenting, guiding how moral reasoning is developed in children.
Why is using hypothetical moral dilemmas a weakness?
They may lack ecological validity, as they don’t reflect real-life moral decisions people face. People might make different moral choices in actual situations where emotions and consequences are real.
Why is Kohlberg’s sample biased?
His study only included male participants, meaning the results may not fully apply to women.
How might participants have been influenced by social desirability bias?
They may have given socially acceptable answers rather than their true moral beliefs.
The study may not accurately reflect real moral reasoning, as people might act differently in real-life situations reducing the validity.
