Lesson 8 – LAWRENCE KOHLBERG’S STAGES OF MORAL DEVELOPMENT

Question 1

is a theory which holds that moral reasoning, the basis for ethical behavior, has six identifiable developmental stages, each more adequate at responding to moral dilemmas than its predecessor.

Answer 1

Kohlberg’s stages of moral development

Question 2

Kohlberg determined that the process of moral development was principally concerned with ___, and that it continued throughout the individual’s lifetime.

Answer 2

justice

Question 3

The six stages of moral development are grouped into three levels of morality

Answer 3

preconventional
conventional
post-conventional

Question 4

Kohlberg’s scale is about ___ and his stages are not a method of ___

Answer 4

how people justify behaviors

ranking how moral someone’s behavior is

Question 5

In Kohlberg’s scale, there should be a correlation between how someone scores on the scale and how they behave, and the general hypothesis is that ___

Answer 5

moral behavior is more responsible, consistent and predictable from people at higher levels

Question 6

This is especially common in children, although adults can also exhibit this level of reasoning.

Answer 6

A. Pre-Conventional Level

Question 7

Individuals at this level judge the morality of an action by its direct consequences.

Answer 7

A. Pre-Conventional Level

Question 8

This consists of the first and second stages of moral development and is solely concerned with the self in an egocentric manner.

Answer 8

A. Pre-Conventional level

Question 9

In this stage, individuals focus on the direct consequences of their actions on themselves

Answer 9

Stage 1: Reward and Punishment

Question 10

An action is perceived as morally wrong because the agent is punished. The worse the punishment for the act is, the more “bad” the act is perceived to be.

Answer 10

Stage 1: Reward and Punishment

Question 11

This stage expresses the “what’s in it for me” position, in which right behavior is defined by whatever the individual believes to be in their best interest but understood in a narrow way which does not consider one’s reputation or relationships to groups of people

Answer 11

Stage 2: Mutual Benefit

Question 12

This stage also shows a limited interest in the needs of others, but only to a pointwhere it might further the individual’s own interests. As a result, concern for others is not based on loyalty or intrinsic respect, but rather a “You scratch my back, and I’ll scratch yours” mentality.

Answer 12

Stage 2: Mutual Benefit

Question 13

This is typical of adolescents and adults

Answer 13

B. Conventional level

Question 14

To reason in a conventional way is to judge the moralityof actions by comparing them to society’s views and expectations.

Answer 14

B. Conventional Level

Question 15

It is characterized by an acceptance of society’s conventions concerning right and wrong

Answer 15

B. Conventional Level

Question 16

At this level, an individual obeys rules and follows society’s norms even when there are no consequences for obedience or disobedience.

Answer 16

B. Conventional Level

Question 17

Adherence to rules and conventions is somewhat rigid, however, and a rule’s appropriateness or fairness is seldom questioned.

Answer 17

B. Conventional level

Question 18

In this stage, the self enters society by conforming to social standards.

Answer 18

Stage 3: “Good Boy / Good Girl”

Question 19

Individualsare receptive to approval or disapproval from others as it reflects society’s views.

Answer 19

Stage 3: “Good Boy / Good Girl”

Question 20

They try to be a “good boy” or a “good girl” to live up to these expectations, having learned that being regarded as good benefits the self

Answer 20

Stage 3: “Good Boy / Good Girl”

Question 21

Furthermore, the individuals act depending on “what others would say” and she is vulnerable to peer pressure.

Answer 21

Stage 3: “Good Boy / Good Girl”

Question 22

this stage of reasoning may judge the morality of an action by evaluating its consequences in terms of a person’s relationships, which now begin to include things like respect, gratitude, and the golden rule

Answer 22

Stage 3: “Good Boy / Good Girl”

Question 23

In this stage, it is important to obey laws, dictums, and social conventions because of their importance in maintaining a functioning society.

Answer 23

Stage 4: Law and Order

Question 24

Challenging or questioning the status quo is frowned upon as it is seen as a threat to the established order

Answer 24

Stage 4: Law and Order

Question 25

Moral reasoning is beyond the need for individual approval exhibited in stage three. A central ideal or ideals often prescribe what is right andwrong.

Answer 25

Stage 4: Law and Order

Question 26

When someone does violate a law, it is morally wrong; culpability is thus a significant factor in this stage as it separates the bad domains from the good ones.

Answer 26

Stage 4: Law and Order

Question 27

Yet there are a few who dare “rock the boat” willing to take the risk of censure, rejection and other forms of opposition. Whether visionaries or naive idealists, those people–some of them–provide the stimulus for change

Answer 27

Stage 4: Law and Order

Question 28

This level, also known as the principled level, is marked by a growing realization that individuals are separate entities from society, and that the individual’s own perspective may take precedence over society’s view

Answer 28

C. Post-Conventional Level

Question 29

individuals may disobey rules inconsistent with their own principles.

Answer 29

C. Post-Conventional Level

Question 30

people at this level live by their own ethical principles—principles that typically include such basic human rights as life, liberty, and justice

Answer 30

C. Post-Conventional Level

Question 31

people at this level view rules as useful but changeable mechanisms—ideally rules can maintain the general social order and protect human rights. Rules are not absolute dictates that must be obeyed without question

Answer 31

C. Post-Conventional Level

Question 32

In this stage, the world is viewed as holding different opinions, rights, and values. Such perspectives should be mutually respected as unique to each person or community

Answer 32

Stage 5: Social Contract Driven

Question 33

Laws are regarded as social contracts rather than rigid edicts. They are based on the principle of utility, and they are not accepted blindly. Those thatdo not promote the general welfare should be changed when necessary to meet “the greatest good for the greatest number of people”. This is achieved through majority decision and inevitable compromise.

Answer 33

Stage 5: Social Contract Driven

Question 34

In this stage, moral reasoning is based on abstract reasoning using universal ethical principles. Laws are valid only insofar as they are grounded in justice, and a commitment to justice carries with it an obligation to disobey unjust laws.

Answer 34

Stage 6: Universal Ethical Principle Driven

Question 35

Legal rights are unnecessary, as social contracts are not essential for deontic moral action.

Answer 35

Stage 6: Universal Ethical Principle Driven

Question 36

Decisions are not reached hypothetically (in a conditional way) but rather categorically (in an absolute way).

Answer 36

Stage 6: Universal Ethical Principle Driven

Question 37

Profound respect for sanctity of human life, nonviolence, equality, and human dignity will be displayed. The resulting consensus is the action taken. In this way action is never a means but always an end in itself;

Answer 37

Stage 6: Universal Ethical Principle DrivenIn

Question 38

the individual acts because it is right, and not because it avoids punishment, is in their best interest, expected, legal, or previously agreed upon

Answer 38

Stage 6: Universal Ethical Principle Driven