Moral Development Flashcards
Cognitive-developmental theorists have focused on the orderly sequence of development of the child’s thoughts about moral issues. Piaget (1932/1948) described the major transition in moral judgment
as a shift from heteronomous to autonomous morality. In heteronomous morality, rules are understood as fixed, unchangeable aspects of social reality. Children’s moral judgement reflect a sense of subordination to authority figures. An act is judged as either right or wrong depending on the letter of the law, the amount of damage that was done, and whether or not the act was punished. In autonomous morality, children see rules as products of cooperative agreements. Moral judgments reflect a child’s participation in a variety of social roles and egalitarian relationships with friends. Give-and-take with peers highlights mutual respect and mutual benefit as rewards for holding to the terms of agreements or abiding by the law.
How did Kohlberg look for universal stages in the development of moral judgement?
by presenting research participants with moral dilemmas in the form of stories. In one story, a man whose dying wife needs a drug he cannot afford pleads with the pharmacist to let him buy the drug at a cheaper price. When the pharmacist refuses, the man decides to steal the drug. Participants are asked to discuss the man’s action.
at six developmental stages of moral judgment, which he grouped into three levels:
preconventional, conventional, and postconventional.
Preconventional Morality
If the man’s actions are evaluated as right or wrong on the basis of anticipated punishment that is an example of Level 1, or preconventional Morality.
Conventional Morality
Kohlberg believed that all children are at this level until about age 10, when they begin to evaluate actions in terms of other people’s opinions, which characterizes the Conventional Level. Most individuals can reason at this Level by age 13.
Post-Conventional Morality
Following Piaget, Kohlberg argued that only individuals who have achieved formal operational thought are capable of the abstract thinking that is necessary for Level 111, postconventional morality, in which actions are evaluated in terms of higher- order ethical principles.
high-stage principled reasoning
The highest Stage 6 requires the ability to formulate abstract ethical principles and uphold them in order to avoid self-condemnation.
Stages and Levels of Morality
Stage 1-Punishment orientation (Obeys rules to avoid punishment). Judgment is based on whether behaviour is rewarded or punished
Stage 2-Reward orientation (Conforms to obtain rewards, to have favours returned). Judgments are based on whether the consequences result in benefits for self or loved ones.
Level 11 -Conventional Morality
Stage 3 -Good-boy/good-girl orientation (Conforms to avoid disapproval of others). Judgment are based on whether authorities approve or disapprove.
Stage 4 -Authority oriented (Upholds laws and social rules to avoid censure of authorities and feelings of guilt about not “doing one’s duty”) Judgments are based on whether the behaviour upholds or violates the laws of society.
Level 111 -Postconventional Morality
Stage 5 -Social contract orientation (Actions are guided by principles commonly agreed on as essential to the public welfare, principles upheld to retain respect of peers and thus, self-respect). Judgments are based on preserving social contracts based on cooperative collaboration.
Stage6 -Ethical principle orientation (Actions guided by self-chosen ethical principles, which usually value justice, dignity, and equality; principles upheld to avoid self-condemnation. Judgments are based on ethical principles that apply across time and cultures.
