Moral Development

Question 1

Give a brief overview of Damon’s theory of developing a moral self. (+when did he develop this theory?)

Answer 1

1. Explains how children develop a moral self and an understanding of morality by combining nativist and nurture theories
2. 1998

Question 2

Describe nativist theories about moral development, and how they link to Damon’s theory.

Answer 2

1. Nativist = morality is in human nature e.g babies feeling empathy from birth
2. Damon gives evidence that such emotions in babies are found universally.

Question 3

Describe nurture theories about moral development, and how they link to Damon’s theory.

Answer 3

1. Nurture = morality is influenced by social and environmental factors, e.g. Diana Baumrind concluded that parenting styles affect moral development
2. Damon concludes moral identity stems from social influence - children must hear a consistent message about shared standards to develop moral understanding.

Question 4

When did Piaget develop his theory of moral development and what is the main idea of his theory?

Answer 4

1. 1932

2. Morality develops in stages

Question 5

Describe the 4 main features of the first stage of Piaget’s theory of moral development.

Answer 5

• 5 to 10 years old
• Believe morality is obeying absolute rules
• Ideas of morality are heteronomous
• Believe an action is good or bad depending on its consequence

Question 6

Describe the 6 main features of the second stage of Piaget’s theory of moral development.

Answer 6

• 10+
• Believe rules can be changed to benefit
• Ideas of morality are autonomous
• An action is good or bad depending on intention
• Morals are seen as agreed between people
• Following rules is more about the consequences of not

Question 7

When did Kohlberg develop his theory of moral development, and what was the main feature of his theory that mirrors Piaget?

Answer 7

1. 1958

2. Morality develops in stages

Question 8

Give the name and 5 key features of the first part of Kohlberg’s theory.

Answer 8

Level 1: Pre-conventional morality

Stage 1 and 2

• 0 to 9
• Rules are absolute
• An action is good or bad depending on consequence

Stage 1: Focuses on obeying in order to avoid
punishment

Stage 2: Focuses on self-interest and benefits to be
gained from performing moral actions

Question 9

Give the name and 5 key features of the second part of Kohlberg’s theory.

Answer 9

Level 2: Conventional morality

  Stage 3 and 4
   - Most young people and adults
   - View themselves as good member of society and 
   basis for moral behaviour
   - Reasoning comes from social norms

Stage 3: Focuses on conforming to social rules and wanting to be liked

Stage 4: Focuses on a duty to maintain social order by obeying authority

Question 10

Give the name and 8 key features of the third part of Kohlberg’s theory.

Answer 10

Level 3: Post-conventional morality

Stage 5 and 6
- Only about 10% of people
- Form own ideas about good and bad
- Understand some moral principles are universal
- Go beyond social laws to what the individual has as
moral principles

Stage 5: Focuses on seeing laws as social contracts that individuals enter into, and differences in morality between people are due to the different laws that have been agreed to

Stage 6: Focuses on idea that moral reasoning is
abstract. Understand some moral principles ‘must’ be followed. Emphasises right and wrong beyond individual laws.

Question 11

Give 2 weaknesses of Piaget’s and Kohlberg’s theories.

Answer 11

1. Both used artificial stories that featured no real consequence from the decisions that were made
   
   • Lacks ecological validity b/c may not represent real thinking
2. Carol Gilligan (1977) said Kohlberg’s male-only sample must only explain male morality

Question 12

Give three ways in which we can aid moral development in children.

Answer 12

1. Experience a variety of views
2. Give children chance to work out problems between themselves
3. Allow children chance to develop self-control and accept social responsibility

Question 13

Define the following:

1) Morals
2) Morality
3) Moral development
4) Nativist
5) Nurture
6) Moral identity
7) Heteronomous
8) Autonomous
9) Conformity
10) Norms

Answer 13

1) Principles of right & wrong
2) Standards of acceptable behaviour
3) Process through which children reason about what is right and wrong and how they make moral decisions
4) Relating to the theory that mental capacities and structures are innate
5) Relating to the theory that upbringing, education, and environment impact who we are.
6) The extent to which being a moral person is important to one’s identity.
7) Directed by others.
8) Individual decides.
9) Matching attitudes, beliefs, and behaviours to group norms.
11) Unwritten ‘rules’ of a society or culture for accepted and expected behaviours.

Question 14

Describe all 4 stages of Damon’s theory

Answer 14

1. Early infancy
   - Global empathy - feelings for others are the same as those for themselves
2. 1-2 years
   - Realise ppl feel differently than themselves but don’t know how to act
3. Early childhood
   - More responsive to others’ distress
4. 10 to 12
   - Realise others live in poverty and have difficulties e.g disabilities