Kohlberg (1958)

Question 1

Kohlberg’s Theory of Moral Development (1958)

Answer 1

[Oh I Get My Self Uniqlo]
1) Pre-conventional
Obedience and Punishment Orientation
- Obey rules and expectations to avoid punishment.
- If an individual is punished, it is assumed that they have done wrong.

Individualism and Exchange
- Making fair exchange and good deals.

2) Conventional
Good Interpersonal Relationships
- Individuals do good to be seen as good by others.
- Answers to moral dilemmas are related to approval from others.

Maintaining Social Order

• Individual become aware of the larger rules in society.
• They abide by the law so they won’t feel guilty.

3) Post-conventional
Social Contract and Individual Rights
- Understand that rules exist for the greatest good for the greatest number.
- Understands that at certain times, rules may go against an individual.

Universal Principles

• Developed their own set of moral principles (may or may not abide by the law).
• Prepared to stand up for their views even if the rest of society does not agree with the views.
• Willing to accept consequences for not conforming to the law.
• Few people reach this stage.

Question 2

What theorist and theory did Kohlberg base research upon?

Answer 2

Piaget’s Theory of Moral Development (1932).

Question 3

List the three levels and six stages of moral development.

Answer 3

Pre-conventional
- Obedience and Punishment Orientation
- Individualism and Exchange
Conventional
- Good Interpersonal Relationships
- Maintaining Social Order
Post-conventional
- Social Contract and Individual Rights
- Universal Principals

Question 4

What are the characteristics of an individual in the third stage of moral development and what is their response to the Heinz dilemma?

Answer 4

Good Interpersonal Relationships

• Individual does good in order to be seen as good by others.
• Answers to moral dilemmas would relate to the approval from others.

The individual would steal the medicine because his wife would approve of him.

Question 5

A response of “Heinz shouldn’t steal the medicine because it is against the law” would be from an individual in which stage? Why do they have this response?

Answer 5

Pre-conventional, Stage 1 (Obedience and Punishment Orientation).
They would not steal the medicine because they want to avoid punishment.

Question 6

Criticisms of the Theory

Answer 6

Gender Bias

• Kohlberg only studied male participants.
• It is believed that males reach stage 4 while females only reach stage 3.
• Carol Gilligan (1982) found that the differences were due to socialisation rather than values held. Males were socialised to be more independent while females were socialized to be more nurturing and caring.

Culture Bias

• Richard Shweder (1995). This theory doesn’t account for different cultures and their difference social values.
• Presented an Indian version of the Heinz dilemma to a Hindu Orthodox teacher, Babaji.
• Found that they would not steal due to the Hindu law which forbids stealing under any circumstances.