Moral Development & Lawrence Kohlberg

Question 1

what was lawarence kohlberg’s theory of moral development?

Answer 1

• believed that people progressed in their moral reaosning through a series of stages
• most people are stuck in conventional morality, wanting to be a good citizen but never going above the law even if it beneifts others

Question 2

What is pre-conventionality?

Answer 2

• first stage
• lasts until age 9
• children dont have a personal code of morality.
• moral decisions are shaped by adults and consequences of following or breaking their rules
• if an action leads to punishments = bad behavior, rewards = good behavior
• Rewards and punishments determine right and wrong

Question 3

Obedience and punishment orientation

stage 1

Answer 3

• following rules unqestionably based on what a higher power (PARENT) tells them is right
• If the child is punished they must have done wrong
• **Follow the rules to aviod your punishment **

Question 4

Individualsm and exchange

stage 2

Answer 4

• children recognize there is not just one right view that is handed down by authroities
• differnt individuals have differnt viewpoints
• not eveyrone has the same moral viewpoints

Question 5

Conventional morality

people pleaser stage

Answer 5

• desire to please others
• characterized by an acceptance of soical rules concerning right and wrong

Question 6

Good interpersonal relationships

stage 3

conventional morality

Answer 6

• the child/indivual is good in order to be seen as being a good person by others
• answers are related to the approval of others
• do good because of expectations and so others respect

Question 7

Maintaing social order

stage 4 ( follow rules to aviod guilt, follow the crowd)

Conventional morality

Answer 7

• Individuals follow societal rules to uphold the law and avoid guilt.
  *Follow the rules because of societal standard

Question 8

Post-conventional morality

what is it characterized by?

Answer 8

• Belief in mortality because it is the right thing to do

characterized by an individual’s understanding of universal ethical principles
According to Kohlberg this level of moral reasoning is as far as most people get
Only 10-15% are capable of the kind of abstract thinking
* Most people take their moral views from those around them and only a minority think through ethical principles for themselves.
** MORAL PRINCIPLES DETERMINE RIGHT AND WRONG**

Question 9

Social contract and indiviudal rights

stage 5 (rules are justifiable)

post-conventional

Answer 9

• People recognize that rules are designed for the greater good, but they can disadvantage certain individuals.

Question 10

Universal principles

stage 6

post-conventionality

Answer 10

• • At this stage, people create their own moral principles, which might not always align with the law.
• These principles, like human rights, justice, and equality, apply to everyone.
• They are willing to stand up for these values, even if it means going against others
  *Do what your conscience says is right

Question 11

Conventinal morality and authority

Answer 11

• Authority is internalized but not questioned, and reasoning is based on the norms of the group to which the person belongs

Question 12

conventional morality and adult role models

internalizing moral standards

Answer 12

• At the conventional level (most adolescents and adults), we begin to internalize the moral standards of valued adult role model.