SA - Kohlberg

Question 1

What is moral development? (2)

Answer 1

Child’s gradual understanding of right and wrong.
It is a form of socialisation where people gradually normalise and internalise the social norms around us. A child adopts the values of those around us, modelled and reinforced by adults around us
It can’t also be seen as moral development - the thought processes we go through to determine what is right and wrong

Question 2

What is Piaget’s two stage theory of moral development

Answer 2

Moral realism - children see rules as concrete and absolute.
Moral cooperation - See things from others perspectives, realise rules aren’t set by parents but rather they are set by society - need to cooperate and get along

Question 3

What type of theory is Lawrence Kohlberg’s?

Answer 3

Development theory - took Piagets work and turned it into a full blown theory

Question 4

What are Kohlberg’s three stages of moral reasoning?

Answer 4

3. Postconventional reasoning
4. Conventional reasoning
5. Preconvential reasoning

Question 5

What method did Kohlberg use to test moral reasoning?

Answer 5

Moral dilemma

Question 6

What is a moral dilemma?

Answer 6

Hypothetical situation or scenario aimed at finding out what a person should or should not do and why or why not? The why and why not gives the researcher the reasoning behind the decision

Question 7

Name the two stages of preconventional reasoning. Describe these stages

Answer 7

1. Stage 1 Heteronomous morality
2. Stage 2 Individualism

Egocentric, it is wrong to steal a gun I might get caught.

Question 8

Name the 2 stages of conventional reasoning. Describe these stages

Answer 8

Stage 3 Mutual interpersonal expectations
Stage 4 Law and order orientation

Desire to be good and nice and seek approval. Laws and civic laws hold uphold society.
Still concedes it is wrong to steal, but now because it is against the law. Must pay it back. Retribution’s

Question 9

Name the 2 stages of postconventional reasoning. Describe these stages

Answer 9

Stage 5 Social contract orientation
Stage 6 Universal ethical principles

Human life must be saved at all costs, universal ethics but individual conscience has to work hand in hand, abstract thought, abstract fantastical reasoning, understand how will impact on others, notion of right and wrong is abstract.

Question 10

What is important to note about Stage 6: Universal Ethical Principles

Answer 10

Many adults never get to the final stage

Question 11

What are three important elements of Kohlberg’s theory?

Answer 11

1. Stage based - moral reasoning follows a developmental sequence (similar to Piaget)
2. Invariant sequence and hierarchical order
3. Cognitive development + perspective taking + reorganisation of thought = moral development (Similar to disequilibration theory. Idea that cognitive processes must be challenged to develop and advance )

Question 12

Name 4 criticisms of Kohlbergs theory

Answer 12

1. Moral reasoning versus moral behaviour
2. Stages may not be reflected in real-life dilemmas people face
3. Cultural differences in moral reasoning
4. Gender bias in Kohlbergs research

Question 13

Describe the moral reasoning vs moral behaviour critique

Answer 13

There is a disconnect. A person can have high levels of moral reasoning but behave in ways which display a lower level of moral reasoning. Why does a person turn away from doing what is right?

Question 14

Describe the Stages may not be reflected in real-life dilemmas critique

Answer 14

?

Question 15

Describe the Cultural differences critique

Answer 15

Different cultures have different values which may be reflected in their moral reasoning. For example western cultures tend to be more individualistic where as some other cultures are more collectivistic.

Question 16

Describe the gender bias critique of Kohlbergs work

Answer 16

Research conducted in 1960s in US with uni students at a time when women rarely attended university. Study only included boys and young men. Raised questions when tried to apply research to women where he concluded women never reached the same level of moral reasoning as young men.

Question 17

What was Carol Gilligan’s theory

Answer 17

Ethic of Care theory - Women were being raised to care for others so their reasoning different to boys. Presented women with different dilemmas and found they could also reach higher levels of moral reasoning. In her stages she recognised commitment to people. Stages were 1. Self interest, 2. Commitment to people and relationships and 3. Principles of responsibility and care for all.

Question 18

Name three areas of moral development research today

Answer 18

1. Prosocial moral reasoning
2. Moral emotions and cognition
3. Moral disengagement

Question 19

Describe prosocial moral reasoning research

Answer 19

Explores what it takes for a human to be altruistic, show empathy and care and concern for others. In early work girls scored higher but today shows no difference in law and order reasoning and equally capable of showing prosocial moral reasoning. Some differences in behaviour - boys lie more than girls, more likely to cheat, propensity for aggression. If girls cheat more like to favour a friend.

Question 20

Describe Moral emotions and cognition research

Answer 20

Idea that emotions act as an alert system to moral sensitivity. E.g. fear heightens or dampens our sensitivity

Question 21

Name the key researcher behind the theory of moral disengagement

Answer 21

Albert Bandura

Question 22

What is moral disengagement

Answer 22

Our capacity to turn off our moral standards. All humans have agency, that is, a capacity for self control and self judgement. We turn off and on our moral standards to 1) disassociate or displace responsibility, 2) to sanction horrible acts such as torture, terrorism. Agency develops by socialisation. We need to model that behaviour.

Question 23

Name 6 ways we can assist moral development using socialisation

Answer 23

1. Cognitive maturity and social experiences
2. Opportunity to practice and explore moral challenges
3. Teachers as peers and role models
4. Warm, safe, trusting classrooms
5. Naturalistic opportunities to practice or teach
6. Acknowledge cultural variation

Question 24

Name 4 ways we can assist moral development through moral reasoning?

Answer 24

1. Help children explore different perspectives
2. Provide practice on reasoning with examples or problems, role play and debate
3. Analyse and acknowledge situations in which reasoning may be challenged
4. Applies across curriculum