Moral Development Theory Flashcards
What is the moral development theory?
It is all about how we develop our moral thinking, our ideas of right and wrong develop through a series of levels and stages from childhood to adulthood.
What is the pre conventional level of the development of our moral thinking?
Children and young people define right and wrong in terms of rewards and punishment.
How do adults develop their moral thinking?
They define right and wrong in terms of underlying moral principles and values.
What did Kohlberg suggest?
Criminals moral development is stuck at a less mature level than everyone else’s so they are more likely to think only in terms of whether their actions will lead to a reward or punishment rather than how it affects others meaning they are more likely to offend.
What are some evaluations of the moral development theory?
Strength- other studies evidence the fact that delinquents are in fact more likely to have immature moral development.
Limitation- it focuses on thinking and not behaviour so it can be argued to be subjective.
