Moral Reasoning

Question 1

Who are the two theorists?

Answer 1

• Kohlberg’s Moral Dilemma (1958)

- Piaget’s Stages of Moral Development (1932)

Question 2

What are Kohlberg’s 3 stages of moral development?

Answer 2

1. Pre-conventional
   Stage 1: Obedience and punishment orientation
   - Not developed an understanding of rules
   - Only follow rues to avoid punishment
   Stage 2: Individualism and exchange
   - Must learn different places have different rules
2. Conventional
   Stage 3: Good interpersonal relationships
   - May not understand why something is a rule

Stage 4: Maintaining social order

• Only obey rules because they are rules
• Focused on conforming with expectations

3. Post-conventional
   Stage 5: Social contract
   - Understand rules but may not follow them as moral reasoning goes above them
   Stage 6: Universal principles
   - May sacrifice self for benefit of others

Question 3

How does moral reasoning relate to criminality?

Answer 3

1. Pre-conventional
   - Don’t understand rules and only follow due to fear of punishment; if there is no fear then they are likely to take part in criminality
   - Lack of fear could be due to lack of good parenting and not understanding what punishment is
2. Conventional
   - Usually follow law as want to conform to societies expectations
   - May become criminals if they believe maintaining relationships is more important than conforming to society
   - May be rejected from society but accepted by criminals; then won’t care about conforming, priority is with looking good to criminals peers
3. Post-conventional
   - Morality is so high that if they do not agree with rules then they will not follow them