kohlberg (moral development theory) - cognitive theory

Question 1

kohlbergs assumptions

Answer 1

-argues our idea of right and wrong develop throughout childhood until adulthood
-young children understand what is right and wrong through operant conditioning although adults know on a moral level suggesting criminals moral development is less mature than others

Question 2

key term - cognitive behavioural therapy

Answer 2

cognitive theories see delinquents thought patterns differently to non- delinquents which has lead to CBT and other treatments for offenders

Question 3

kohlbergs strengths

Answer 3

-some studies show delinquents are more likely to have an immature moral development
-thornton and reid found that the theory is true for crimes like theft and robbery that have reasoning behind it usually compared to violent crimes due to impulse

Question 4

kohlbergs weakness

Answer 4

he focused on moral thinking rather than moral behaviour although someone can think morally but still choose to act immoral