Kohlberg (Stages of Development)

Question 1

Aim

Answer 1

To find evidence of his theory that as children grow into manhood, they move through distinct stages of moral development

Question 2

Method

Answer 2

Longitudinal study that lasted 12 years
Can establish causality and reasoning

Question 3

Sample

Answer 3

75 American boys aged 10-16 at the beginning, and were then followed every three years until they were 22-28
Boys from other cultures e.g. Great Britain, Mexico, Canada
Gender biased, androcentric
Unrepresentative so results cannot be generalised to everyone

Question 4

Procedure

Answer 4

Ppts were presented with hypothetical dilemmas in the form of short stories
For example “Value of Life” where they were asked if it is better to kill one important person or lots of unimportant people

Question 5

Findings

Answer 5

It was found that 50% of the participants thinking was at a single stage and showed progress through ageing.
Not all participants got to stage 6

Question 6

Conclusions

Answer 6

There is cultural universality in development as they are not affected by social, cultural or religious conditions
However the rate at which they go through these stages may vary is affected by culture