Kohlberg et al 1981 Cognitive - moral development

Question 1

Aim

Answer 1

To find evidence in support of a progression through stages of moral development

Question 2

Method

Answer 2

Longitudinal study with interviews (18yrs)

Question 3

Participants

Answer 3

58 working/middle class boys from Chicago aged 7, 10, 13, and 16

Question 4

Procedure

Answer 4

The boys were interviewed individually for 2 hours every 3 years until they were 30-36yrs old.

eg. Heinz moral Dilemma

Question 5

Results

Answer 5

The youngest boys tended to be in either stage 1 or 2 of moral development theory.

older boys were typically in stages 3 or 4

no support was found for stage 6

Question 6

Conclusions

Answer 6

Although Kohlberg’s theory was not intended to apply to criminal morality, a replication of this study suggested that criminals who commit crime for financial gain tend to display more immature morality than those who commit more violent crimes.