Kohlberg Et Al 1981: The Philosophy Of Moral Development

Question 1

Background - heinz dilemma

Answer 1

Heinz’ wife is sick and only one drug will cure her, but he cannot afford it
Does he:
Steal the drug with no punishment (level 3)

Steal the drug and accept punishment (level 2)

Not still the drug as it is against the law (level 1)

Question 2

What is the theory of moral developments

Answer 2

Level 1-pre-morality
Stage1= fears punishment
Stage 2= for personal gain

Level2 - conventional morality
Stage 3=Doing what is right according to majority to be a good person
Stage4= helps society as laws must be obeyed the common good

Level 3- post-conventional morality
Stage 5= doing what is morally right as law is too restricted
Stage 6= following our inner conscience and values sacredness of human life

Question 3

Aim

Answer 3

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

Question 4

Method

Answer 4

Longitudinal, interviews

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

Individually for 2 hrs every 3 years until 30-36 yrs
Given 10 dilemmas to solve (Heinz dilemma)

Question 5

Results

Answer 5

Younger boys tended to be on stage 1/2 of moral development

Older boys typically 3/4

No support for stage six

Progression slower in non industrialised societies

Question 6

Conclusions

Answer 6

Although kohlberg theory was not intended to apply to criminal morality, however a replication by Thornton and reid suggested that criminals commit crime for financial gain tend to Display more immature morality than those who commit more violent crime

Question 7

Follow up

Answer 7

U.K.,
2 sites in Mexico
Turkey
Taiwan

Question 8

Background - Freud

Answer 8

When children are born they are egocentric- only care about themselves

Ego and super ego later develop which allow understanding of morality