Lesson 8 – LAWRENCE KOHLBERG’S STAGES OF MORAL DEVELOPMENT Flashcards
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.
Kohlberg’s stages of moral development
Kohlberg determined that the process of moral development was principally concerned with ___, and that it continued throughout the individual’s lifetime.
justice
The six stages of moral development are grouped into three levels of morality
preconventional
conventional
post-conventional
Kohlberg’s scale is about ___ and his stages are not a method of ___
how people justify behaviors
ranking how moral someone’s behavior is
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 ___
moral behavior is more responsible, consistent and predictable from people at higher levels
This is especially common in children, although adults can also exhibit this level of reasoning.
A. Pre-Conventional Level
Individuals at this level judge the morality of an action by its direct consequences.
A. Pre-Conventional Level
This consists of the first and second stages of moral development and is solely concerned with the self in an egocentric manner.
A. Pre-Conventional level
In this stage, individuals focus on the direct consequences of their actions on themselves
Stage 1: Reward and Punishment
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.
Stage 1: Reward and Punishment
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
Stage 2: Mutual Benefit
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.
Stage 2: Mutual Benefit
This is typical of adolescents and adults
B. Conventional level
To reason in a conventional way is to judge the moralityof actions by comparing them to society’s views and expectations.
B. Conventional Level
It is characterized by an acceptance of society’s conventions concerning right and wrong
B. Conventional Level
At this level, an individual obeys rules and follows society’s norms even when there are no consequences for obedience or disobedience.
B. Conventional Level
Adherence to rules and conventions is somewhat rigid, however, and a rule’s appropriateness or fairness is seldom questioned.
B. Conventional level
In this stage, the self enters society by conforming to social standards.
Stage 3: “Good Boy / Good Girl”
Individualsare receptive to approval or disapproval from others as it reflects society’s views.
Stage 3: “Good Boy / Good Girl”
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
Stage 3: “Good Boy / Good Girl”
Furthermore, the individuals act depending on “what others would say” and she is vulnerable to peer pressure.
Stage 3: “Good Boy / Good Girl”
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
Stage 3: “Good Boy / Good Girl”
In this stage, it is important to obey laws, dictums, and social conventions because of their importance in maintaining a functioning society.
Stage 4: Law and Order
Challenging or questioning the status quo is frowned upon as it is seen as a threat to the established order
Stage 4: Law and Order
