Kohlberg's Stages of Moral Development

CTU- Danao DPE student report for Kohlberg

1. Module Anna Marie R. Paradero

2. LEARNING OUTCOMES We will able to understand the stages of moral development. We will able to analyze a person’s level of moral reasoning based on his responses to moral dilemmas.

3. Words to remember: Moral is a lesson that is learn from something. Dilemma is a situation that requires a choice between two equal alternatives.

4. Words to remember: Moral dilemma can therefore be defined as a situation that will often involve an apparent mental conflict in which each in possible course of action will breach some binding moral principle . Moral reasoning is a study in psychology that overlaps with moral philosophy. It is also called Moral development.

5. stages of moral development

6. Who was Lawrence Kohlberg

7. Who was Lawrence Kohlberg ? 1927 - 1983 Born in New York City in 1927. Kohlberg began studying psychology as an undergraduate at the University of Chicago. In one year, Kohlberg had earned his B.A. in psychology and continued his education as a graduate student at the University of Chicago . In 1958, Kohlberg earned his Ph.D.

8. Became fascinated by moral development in children . Kohlberg studied moral reasoning & development with much of his work based on that of Jean Piaget and John Dewey. He had a brief teaching position at Yale University before moving onto Harvard in 1967.

9. While in Central America in 1973, Kohlberg developed a rare and unknown tropical disease which disabled him in many ways and caused him to be severely depressed. In January of 1987 , Kohlberg disappeared, his body was later found in a swamp area . There is some suspicion that Kohlberg took his own life.

10. He was adopted and built on Piaget’s work, and set the groundwork for the present debate within psychology and moral development . Like Piaget, He believed that the children form ways of thinking through their experiences which include understandings of moral concepts such as justice, rights , equality , and human welfare.

11. Kohlberg followed the development of moral judgment and extended the ages covered by Piaget, and found out the process of attaining moral maturity took longer and occurred slower that Piaget had thought . His moral development theory is not focused on whether the actions are right or wrong. Rather it is focused on the moral reasoning behind them.

12. Moral Dilemma: Ryan , 17 Nic , 15 Parents

13. Ryan, 17, has been saving up money to buy a ticket for this concert rock band. His parents have discouraged him from going as the concert will surely be with a rowdy crowd. The band is notorious for having out-of-control audience who somehow manages to get drunk and stoned during the concert.

14. Ryan agreed not to watch anymore. But a day before the concert, Nic , 15-year-old brother of Ryan, saw a corner of what appeared to be a concert ticket showing in the pocket of Ryan’s bag. Nic examined it and confirmed it was indeed a ticket. Nic also found an extra shirt and 2 sticks of marijuana. So he figured Ryan will go to the concert after all.

15. That night, Ryan told his parents that he was spending tomorrow night at a classmate’s house for a school requirement. Then later that evening, he told Nic of his plan to go the concert. Nic didn’t say anything, but he found it difficult to sleep that night, thinking whether to tell their parents or not.

16. Levels of Moral Reasoning Preconventional —moral reasoning is based on external rewards and punishments Conventional —laws and rules are upheld simply because they are laws and rules Postconventional —reasoning based on personal moral standards

17. PRECONVENTIONAL LEVEL Moral reasoning is based on the consequence/result of the act, not on the whether the act itself is good or bad. Punishments and rewards dominate the sense of right & wrong Behavior motivated by anticipation of pleasure or pain. FOCUS: Self AGES:4 – 10 yrs. old

18. Stage #1:Obedience and Punishment Orientation One is motivated by fear of punishment . He will act in order to avoid punishment. EX : The child won’t grab the candy at the supermarket for fear of being slapped

19. Possible answers for Moral dilemma by children of Stage 1 “Yes, I will tell our parents. Because if they found out later that I knew, for sure they will get angry and most likely punish me. “No, I will not tell because Ryan will make my life difficult and also punish me for telling.

20. Stage #2:Mutual Benefit One is motivated to act by the benefit that one may obtain later. You scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours . EX : A mother tells her child : “ If you are quiet at the mall , I will buy you an ice cream .”

21. Possible answers for Moral dilemma by children of Stage 2 “Yes, I will tell our parents because they will reward me for it. I will subtly ask for that new Ipod that I’m wishing to have. “No, I will not tell. Ryan will surely grant me a lot of favors for not telling. He’ll not also squeal on me.

22. CONVENTIONAL LEVEL Moral reasoning is based on the conventions or “ norms” of society. This may include approval of others , law and order. FOCUS: Significant Others, "Tyranny of the They" (They say…. AGES:10 – 13 yrs. old Acceptance of the rules and standards of one's group.

23. Stage #3:Social Approval One is motivated by what others expect in behavior -good boy, good girl. The person acts because he/she values how he/she appear to others . He/she gives importance on what people will think or say. EX : Volunteering at a nursing home is the right thing to do.

24. Possible answers for Moral dilemma by children of Stage 3 “Yes, I will tell so my parents will think I am such an honest boy” “No, I will not tell. Ryan will think of me as a really cool brother.

25. Stage #4: Law and Order One is motivated to act in order to uphold law and order . The person will follow the law because it is the law. EX : If you drink and drive your endangering the lives of others on the road, not just yourself.

26. Possible answers for Moral dilemma by children of Stage 4 “Yes, I will tell because we should follow the rules that our parents say” “No, because it’s been our rule to keep each other’s secrets”

27. THE POSTCONVENTIONAL LEVEL Moral reasoning is based on enduring or consistent principles. It is not just recognizing the law, but the principles behind the law.

28. Stage #5: Social Contract Laws that are wrong can be changed . One will act based on social justice and the common good . At stage 5, people begin to ask, "What makes for a good society ?" They begin to think about society considering the rights and values that a society ought to uphold.

29. Possible answers for Moral dilemma by children of Stage 5 “Yes, I will tell because he might be hurt or get in trouble and his welfare is top most priority” “No, because he is big enough to question my parents decision not to let him go”

30. Stage #6: Universal Ethical Principal Orientation This is associated with the development od one’s conscience . Having a set of standards that drives one to posses moral responsibility to make societal changes regardless of consequences to oneself . EX : Rosa Parks refused to sit in the back of the bus because it was an unjust law discriminating against African Americans.

31. Possible answers for Moral dilemma by children of Stage 6 “Yes, I will tell because lying is always wrong and I want to be true to what I believe in.” “No, because I believe brothers watch out for each other. If he trusted me with this, I should stay true to him and not say anything”

32. Criticisms of Kohlberg’s theory Research has not supported Kohlberg’s belief that the development of abstract thinking in adolescence invariably leads people to the formation of idealistic moral principles Some cross-cultural psychologists argue that Kohlberg’s stories and scoring system reflect a Western emphasis on individual rights, harm, and justice that is not shared in many cultures . Kohlberg’s early research was conducted entirely with male subjects, yet it became the basis for a theory applied to both males and females.

33. Other Dilemmas to Consider