Moral Development

Question 1

What are the 2 contrasting views of moral thought

Answer 1

1. Young children have an inherently moral nature

2. Young children must learn about morality through social and cultural experiences

Question 2

What is the evolutionary perspective of moral thought

Answer 2

Children are not inherently good or bad

Humans have a sense of morality as it has an adaptive value

Question 3

What is Piaget’s cognitive component of moral development

Answer 3

There are 3 stages of moral reasoning that children have to go through

1. premoral
2. Heteronomous
3. Autonomous

Question 4

What is the premoral stage of moral development

Answer 4

Up to 4yrs

They have no awareness of rules and no notions of justice. Don’t use moral principles

Question 5

What is the heteronomous stage of moral development

Answer 5

Between 4 and 10yrs

Rules are seen as unchangeable
Responsibility is due to consequences rather than intentions
Don’t know what level of punishment is appropriate

Question 6

What is the autonomous stage of moral development

Answer 6

10+

Rules are seen as changeable
Responsibly is based partly on intentions
Know punishment should be appropriate

Question 7

What 2 factors play a role in transitioning between the heteronomous and the autonomous stage of moral development

Answer 7

1. Cognitive maturation e.g decline egocentrism

2. Social experience e.g contact with peers

Question 8

What did Piaget find to do with consequences outweighing intentions

Answer 8

Younger children said that the child opening the door knocking over lots of glasses was worse than the child climbing up to get something and knocking over 1 glass

Question 9

What is Kohlberg’s theory of moral development

Answer 9

3 levels

1. Pre conventional morality
2. Conventional morality
3. Post conventional morality

Question 10

What is pre conventional morality

Answer 10

Right and wrong is determined by rewards and punishments

Stage 1 - Whatever leads to punishment is wrong

Stage 2 - The right way to behave is what is rewarded

Question 11

What is conventional morality

Answer 11

Views of others matter and seeking approval

Stage 3 - Behaving in ways they see as good

Stage 4 - obedient to authority

Question 12

What is post conventional morality

Answer 12

The rights of others can override obedience of laws

Stage 5 - recognition that rules should sometimes be broken

Stage 6 - takes in to account the view of everyone affected by a moral decision

Question 13

What is the affective component of moral development

Answer 13

Contagious crying

Empathy development

Moral Emotions

Question 14

What did Geangu, Benga, Stahl, & Striano (2010) find to do with contagious crying

Answer 14

Children up to 9 months showed equal facial and vocal distress when exposed to a cry

Question 15

What is the behavioural component of moral development

Answer 15

1. Prosocial behaviour

2. Anti-social behaviour

Question 16

What is prosocial behaviour

Answer 16

Actions performed to the benefit of others at cost to the person doing the behaviour

Question 17

What is antisocial behaviour

Answer 17

Acts that harm another individual

Question 18

What are 2 aspects of prosocial behaviour

Answer 18

1. Helping

2. Cooperation

Question 19

What did Hamlin, Wynn, & Bloom (2007) do and find to do with helping

Answer 19

Children alternately shown a video of a red circle either being helped to pushed down while trying to climb a hill

Infants chose the helper

Question 20

What is a follow up study to Hamlin, Wynn, & Bloom (2007)

Answer 20

Infants shown videos where either the ball got helped up the hill or was nudged down it. The ball either bounced at the top of the hill or did not. The able either bounced at the bottom or did not

Children preferred the that bounced even if it was the hinderer