l awrence k ohlberg stage theory of moral development
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LAWRENCE KOHLBERGStage Theory of Moral Development
LAWRENCE KOHLBERG ( 1927-1987) Born into a wealthy
family in New York Was a merchant marine
in WW2 Snuck Jews through
British blockade of Palestine Inspired him to study
moral development Earned his BA in
Psychology in 1 year at University of Chicago and his doctorate by 1958.
Work was based on Piaget and Dewey
Taught at Yale then Harvard Survey approach – tell story
and measure responses Developed rare tropical
disease that disabled him in many ways and caused extreme depression in 1973
Disappeared in January 1987 and was later found in a swamp Some suspect suicide.
THE THEORY IN A NUTSHELL
Came up with a cognitive theory about the development of children’s moral reasoning.
This happens in stages that are always sequential and cannot be skipped
Children advance at different rates and not everyone reaches the last stage
There are three levels of moral development 2 stages within each level
THE PRECONVENTIONAL LEVEL
0-9 Years Preconventional moral reasoning:
judgments are based on consequences of actions/behavior.
Stage 1: Obedience and Punishment “good” is what helps avoid punishment
Stage 2: Instrumental Morality “good” is what satisfies needs
THE CONVENTIONAL LEVEL
Conventional moral reasoning: judgments based on whether the act conform to conventional standards/rules/expectations. These come from influences like family, religion,
and society as a whole. Stage 3: Good Boy/Girl Morality
“good” meets your needs and the expectations of other people
Stage 4: Law and Order “good” means maintaining social order and
following the rules
THE POSTCONVENTIONAL STAGE Postconventional moral reasoning: reasoning
based on a person’s own moral standards of goodness
Stage 5: Social Contract Recognizes that laws have a purpose and value and
shouldn’t be violated without good reason Laws cannot bind someone in exceptional circumstances
Stage 6: Principles of Conscience Acts that that support the values of human life, justice
and dignity are moral and “good” Rely on your own conscience Don’t necessarily obey laws or agree with other’s
opinions
GUIDED PRACTICE
HOLES AND BIAS IN KOHLBERG’S THEORY Boys appear to reason at higher levels of
moral development than girls. Kohlberg believed that few people can make
it past stage 4.
GILLIGAN’S THEORY OF MORAL DEVELOPMENT
Females go through stages of moral development too but the involve her perception of herself in relationship to others.
3 Stages Stage 1: Survival
Caring for self/ I have no one but myself Transition of self centeredness to responsibility Stage 2: Goodness
Caring for Others Transition of Conformity to social expectations to
choice(my needs versus the needs of others)
Stage3: Balance Caring for self and others
APPLICATION
Consider both the theories of Kohlberg and Gilligan, which do you think has more validity in your life? What stage do you think you are currently in? Why?
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