Kohlberg: Theory of Moral Development Flashcards
What are the 3 levels of Kohlberg’s Theory of Moral Development?
Preconventional, Conventional, & Post-conventional
What stages fall under the preconventional level of Kohlberg’s Theory of Moral Development?
Stage 1: Punishment & Obedient Orientation; Stage 2: Instrumental Relativist Orientation
What stages fall under the conventional level of Kohlberg’s Theory of Moral Development?
Stage 3: Interpersonal Concordance Orientation; Stage 4: Law & Order Orientation
What stages fall under the post-conventional level of Kohlberg’s Theory of Moral Development?
Stage 5: Social Contract Legalistic Orientation; Stage 6: Universal Ethical Principle Orientation
What is the focus of the preconventional level?
Egocentric focus
What is the focus of the conventional level?
Societal focus
What is the focus of the post-conventional level?
Universal focus
What stage are toddlers to 7 yrs old in?
Punishment & Obedient Orientation
What stage are preschoolers thru school age children in?
Instrumental Relativist Orientation
What stage are school age thru adulthood in?
Interpersonal Concordance Orientation
What stage are adolescence thru adulthood in?
Law & Order Orientation
What stage are middle-age or older adults in?
Social Contract Legalistic Orientation
What stage are middle-age or older adults in?
Universal Ethical Principle Orientation (few people maintain this stage)
Describe the preconventional level.
Authority is outside the individual and reasoning is based on the physical consequences of actions; Person is responsive to cultural rule of labels of the reason good and bad, right or wrong
Describe the conventional level.
Authority is internalized but not questioned and reasoning is based on the norms of the group to which the person belongs; Person is concerned with maintaining expectations about & rules of the family, group, nation, or society
Describe the post-conventional level.
Individual judgment is based on self-chosen principles, and moral reasoning is based on individual rights and justice; Person lives autonomously & defines moral values & principles that are from personal identification with group values
Describe the Punishment & Obedient Orientation.
Decision made out of fear of punishment, not respect for authority; Good in order to avoid being punished; If a person is punished they must have done wrong
Describe the Instrumental Relativist Orientation.
Conformity is based on egocentricity & narcissistic needs; Recognize that there is not just one right view that is handed down by the authorities; Different individuals have different viewpoints
Describe the Interpersonal Concordance Orientation.
Decisions & behaviors based on concerns others’ approval or a reward; Empathic response, based on understanding of how another person feels, is basis for decisions & behavior; Good in order to be seen as being a good person by others; Therefore, answers are r/t the approval of others
Describe the Law & Order Orientation.
Person obeys the law just b/c it is the law or out of respect for authority & underlying morality of the law; Becomes aware of the wider rules of society so judgments concern obeying rules in order to uphold the law and to avoid guilt
Describe the Social Contract Legalistic Orientation.
Social rules aren’t the sole basis for decisions & behavior b/c the person believes a higher moral principle applies, such as equality, justice, or due process; Becomes aware that while rules/laws might exist for the good of the greatest #, there are times when they will work against the interest of particular individuals; The issues are not always clear cut (in Heinz’s dilemma the protection of life is more important than breaking the law against stealing)
Describe the Universal Ethical Principle Orientation.
Decision & behavior are based on internalized rules, on conscience rather than on social laws, & on self-chosen ethical & abstract principles that are universal, comprehensive, & consistent; Developed their own set of moral guideline which may or may not fit the law; Principles apply to everyone; (Kohlberg doubted few people reached this stage)
What stage is this person in? “I’ll do something b/c you tell me and to avoid getting punished?
Punishment & Obedient Orientation
What stage is this person in? “I’ll do something if I get something for it or b/c it pleases you”
Instrumental Relativist Orientation
What stage is this person in? “I’ll do something b/c I know how it feels to be without; I can put myself in your shoes”
Interpersonal Concordance Orientation
What stage is this person in? “I’ll do something b/c it’s the law and my duty”
Law & Order Orientation
What stage is this person in? “I’ll do something b/c it is morally & legally right, even if it isn’t popular with the group”
Social Contract Legalistic Orientation
What stage is this person in? “I’ll do something b/c it is morally, ethically, & spiritually right, even if it is illegal & I get punished & even if no one else participates in the act”
Universal Ethical Principle Orientation
What did Kohlberg base his Theory of Moral Development on?
A person’s thinking & behavior is consistent with level of moral judgment
