Self/Identity/ Moral Reasoning Flashcards
Know how sense of self develops through childhood
Children begin to think about themselves and develop a self-concept during the ages of 3 to 5 years old.
Typical changes in self-esteem and self-concept as we mature
Self-esteem = self worth, self-image; about one’s own worth and the feelings associated with those judgments
Childhood & Adolescence
- Majority of adolescents have positive self-image cross culturally
Girls: small decrease in self esteem may be related to relationship authenticity.
- Self evaluation accuracy increases across elementary school years; more realistic.
Adulthood
- Individual coping skills affect perceptions of changes and events; social context matters.
- Results vary on self-esteem decreasing.
- Emotion-related goals increase.
- Low self esteem linked to being widowed, experienced physical decline/impairment, or low religious commitment.
Self-concept = set of attributes, abilities, attitudes, and values that an individual believes defines who he or she is
1-2 years
- Awareness of physically distinct self
- Recognized own image
- Body-self awareness
3-5 years
- Observable characteristics
- Constructs life story narrative
- Typical emotions and attitudes
6-10 years
- Personality traits
- Positive and negative
- Social comparison
11 yrs and up
- Unifies separate traits into abstract ones
- Organized self-concept system
Know the material on Erickson’s theory (stage at adolescence)
Identity
Definition who you are, what you value, & direction in life
- Personal relationships
- Sexual orientation
- Ethnic groups
- Ideals
Resolution of “identity crisis” or exploration
Confusion
- Lack of direction and definition of self
- Restricted exploration > adolescence
- Earlier psychosocial conflicts > not resolved
- Society restricts choices
Unprepared for stages of adulthood
Know Marcia’s work on identity statuses
Identity Achievement [High]
person has explored meaningful alternatives regarding identity and has made a commitment
Identity Moratorium [High/Low]
person has explored meaningful alternatives regarding identity but has NOT made a commitment
Identity Foreclosure [Low/High]
person has NOT explored meaningful alternatives regarding identity and has made a commitment
Identity Diffusion [Low/Low]
person has NOT explored meaningful alternatives regarding identity and has NOT made a commitment
What are the 3 levels for Kohlberg?
Preconventional [1 & 2]
Conventional [3 & 4]
Postconventional/principled [5 & 6]
What are the 6 stages for Kohlberg?
Stage 1 punishment & obedience orientation: focus on fear of authority and avoidance of punishment
- children see rules as fixed and absolute. Obeying the rules is important because it is a means to avoid punishment.
Stage 2 instrumental purpose orientation: view right action as flowing from self-interest and understand reciprocity as equal exchange of favors
- children account for individual points of view and judge actions based on how they serve individual needs.
Heinz dilemma: children argued that the best course of action was the choice that best-served Heinz’s needs.
Stage 3 interpersonal relationships “good boy—good girl”: individuals want to maintain the affection and approval of friends and relatives by being a “good person”—trustworthy, loyal, respectful, helpful, and nice.
- being “nice,” and consideration of how choices influence relationships.
Stage 4 social-order-maintaining orientation: rules must be enforced in the same evenhanded fashion for everyone, and each member of society has a personal duty to uphold them; people begin to consider society as a whole when making judgments.
- maintaining law and order by following the rules, doing one’s duty and respecting authority.
Stage 5 social-contract convention: individuals regard laws and rules as flexible instruments for furthering human purposes. People begin to account for the differing values, opinions, and beliefs of other people.
- people begin to account for the differing values, opinions, and beliefs of other people.
Rules of law are important for maintaining a society, but members of the society should agree upon these standards.
Stage 6 universal principles: right action is defined by self‐chosen ethical principles of conscience that are valid for all humanity, regardless of law and social agreement
- people follow these internalized principles of justice, even if they conflict with laws and rules.
What was the moral reasoning for Kohlberg?
Rights and justice orientation (masculine moral reasoning dilemma)
Critics have pointed out that Kohlberg’s theory of moral development overemphasizes the concept as justice when making moral choices. Factors such as compassion, caring, and other interpersonal feelings may play an important part in moral reasoning.
