Moral ReasoningMoral Reasoning

Lawrence Kohlberg’s TheoryLawrence Kohlberg’s Theory

Lawrence KohlbergLawrence Kohlberg

Jewish AmericanJewish American WWII veteran in European TheatreWWII veteran in European Theatre

Lied about age to volunteer for ArmyLied about age to volunteer for Army Among first Am. GI’s to see the campsAmong first Am. GI’s to see the camps

Walking skeletons, Human bones in the Walking skeletons, Human bones in the furnace,…furnace,…

Cypress Camps after WWIICypress Camps after WWII Returned to school to study PsychologyReturned to school to study Psychology How could people do this to people?How could people do this to people?

How could they think that this was ok?How could they think that this was ok?

The Research TechniqueThe Research Technique

Kohlberg’s ExperimentKohlberg’s Experiment Interviewed children of various agesInterviewed children of various ages Interviewed adults of different agesInterviewed adults of different ages Presented them with a moral dilemmaPresented them with a moral dilemma

See overhead example of Fred & MarcySee overhead example of Fred & Marcy There is no “correct” answerThere is no “correct” answer

Answer is irrelevant to KohlbergAnswer is irrelevant to Kohlberg Kohlberg noted Kohlberg noted HOWHOW an answer was an answer was

being arrived atbeing arrived at What reasoning did they use to decide?What reasoning did they use to decide?

Stages of Moral ReasoningStages of Moral Reasoning

Level One: Preconventional (Personal Level One: Preconventional (Personal Impact)Impact) Stage 1: Punishment/ObedienceStage 1: Punishment/Obedience

It is wrong, if you are punished for it.It is wrong, if you are punished for it. Physical consequencesPhysical consequences

A big punishment then means what to a child?A big punishment then means what to a child? Stage 2: Personal RewardStage 2: Personal Reward

It is right if I benefit from itIt is right if I benefit from it Personal needs are most importantPersonal needs are most important

Magnitude of the benefit tells what about the Magnitude of the benefit tells what about the action?action?

Stages of Moral ReasoningStages of Moral Reasoning

Level Two: Conventional (Personal Level Two: Conventional (Personal Approval)Approval) Stage 3: Good Boy/Good GirlStage 3: Good Boy/Good Girl

If I do this, Mommy will think I’m a “good If I do this, Mommy will think I’m a “good boy/girl”boy/girl”

Right & wrong reasoned based on other’s approvalRight & wrong reasoned based on other’s approval Pre-pubescent- Pre-pubescent- Approval of authority figuresApproval of authority figures Post-pubescent- Post-pubescent- Approval of peersApproval of peers

Stage 4: Law & OrderStage 4: Law & Order Because it’s against the Law!Because it’s against the Law!

Laws are absolute, no gray areas or chaos will eruptLaws are absolute, no gray areas or chaos will erupt Family obligations?Family obligations?

Stages of Moral ReasoningStages of Moral Reasoning

Level Three: Post-Conventional Level Three: Post-Conventional (Personal Interpretation)(Personal Interpretation) Stage 5: Social ContractStage 5: Social Contract

Given my situation I had no other choice!Given my situation I had no other choice! Laws are attempts at morality but are still Laws are attempts at morality but are still

contrived.contrived. Meant for most situations but not all situationsMeant for most situations but not all situations

Stage 6: Universal EthicStage 6: Universal Ethic Always right?Always right? Always wrong?Always wrong?

Kohlberg’s Theory in PracticeKohlberg’s Theory in Practice

Classroom disciplineClassroom discipline How does it inform how to deal with How does it inform how to deal with

children?children? Preschool?Preschool? Primary?Primary? Middle School?Middle School? Secondary?Secondary?

Critiques of KohlbergCritiques of Kohlberg

Limited research to boysLimited research to boys Carol GilliganCarol Gilligan

Feminist TheoristFeminist Theorist Females develop differently than boysFemales develop differently than boys

Harmony of the groupHarmony of the group ResponsibilityResponsibility Caring for othersCaring for others

See overheadSee overhead