Kohlberg - Child As A Moral Philosopher Flashcards
What was the sample of Kohlberg’s (1968) study of obedience?
75 American boys aged 10-16 then again between 22 and 28, he also studied people in Great Britian, Canda, Taiwan, Mexico and Turkey
What was Kohlberg’s methology?
He used interviews to collect qualitative data, which used cross-cultural comparisons with a longitudinal element
Explain Kohlbergs procedure
Kohlberg created 9 hypothetical moral dilemmas, which each presented a conflict between two moral issues, each ppt dicussed 3 of these dilemas, prompted by a set of 10 or more open questions
The boys answers were analysed and common themes identifed, so that the stage theory could be constructed, each boy was interviewes every 3 years
How often was each boy re-interviewed? (Kohlbergs procedure)
Every 3 years
What are some examples of the 10 or more open qustions the boys may have been asked about the Heinz dilema? (Procedure)
Should he steal - why/why not?
Does he love his wife if he doesnt steal it?
If the person dying was a stranger, does that change anything?
What were the general findings of Kohlberg’s (1968) study of obedience?
Kohlberg found that the younger children thought at the pre-conventional level and as they got older, their focus shifted from themselves, to doing good because relationships with others are important
What did Kohlberg note in his findings about the Mexican and Tawianese boys?
They were a little slower to develop, but shared the same patern
What did Kohlberg conclude about the key features of moral development?
That the stages are universal and invarient, people everywhere go through the stages in the same order
Each new stage respresents a more equilibrated form of moral understanding, resulting in a more logically consistent and moraly mature understanding
What did Kohlberg suggest about moral discussion classes? (Conclusions)
He propsed that moral discussion classes can be used to help children develop their moral thinking, e.g a convo between a stage 3 and stage 4 child could result in the stage 3 child progressing
What are the 3 points of evaulation for Kohlbergs study?
Sampling
External validity
Social desirability bias
Explain the Ev point of Kohlberg’s sample
All of Kohlberg’s research is based on males
Research suggests male and female moral development differs (justice vs caring)
So may not be generalisable
Explain the Ev point of Kohlberg’s study lacking External validity
Rsearch critised Kohlbergs research because the questions were not reflective of real-life, they were very unrealistic and often times confusing (for small kids)
Explain the Ev point of Kohlberg’s research being affected by social desirability bias
The main issue with using self-report methods is that ppts may alter their response to make themselves seem more moral etc therefore data may be completly invalid
What are the 3 levels of moral development (NOT the stages)
The preconventional level
The conventional level
The post-conventional
Explain the preconventional stage (1st of 3 stages)
Children accept the rules of authority figures and judge actions by their consequences e.g action that result in punishment = bad action
Explain the conventional stage (2st of 3 stages)
Individuals continue to believe that conformity to social rules is desirable but this is not out of self interest, but maintaing the current social system = positive relationships
Explain the postconventional stage (3rd of 3 stages)
A post-conventional individual now defines morality in terms of moral principles that apply to all societies and situations
What was the 1st stage of moral development and explain it (Kohlberg findings)
The punishment and obedience orientation - sole focus of obeying rules that are enforced by punishment
What was the 3nd stage of moral development and explain it (Kohlberg findings)
Interpersonal cooperation - ‘good boy, good girl’ orientation, what is good and right is defined by others
What was the 5th stage of moral development and explain it (Kohlberg findings)
The social contract orentation - laws are seen as relative and flexiable, where they are consistent with individual rights and they uphold the intrests of the majority
