Moral Development Kohlbergs stages Learning Objectives To define

Moral Development Kohlberg’s stages

Learning Objectives • To define “moral understanding” • To discuss Kohlberg’s theory of moral development based on the “Heinz” dilemma • To evaluate Kohlberg’s theory using IDA

What is moral understanding? • The process by which people decide if an action/attitude/belief is right or wrong • Children are not born knowing what is right or wrong – how do they decide? How does their moral understanding develop?

Kohlberg’s theory • Similar to Piaget - believed there were stages of development which are loosely dependent on the age of the child • Tested moral development using “moral dilemmas” – children’s responses varied depending on which stage of moral development they are in

The Heinz Dilemma • Read through the Heinz Dilemma • What do you think Heinz should do? Why? • Does everyone else agree?

The Heinz Dilemma • Make notes on Kohlberg's stages of moral development based on responses to the Heinz dilemma • Are any of the responses similar to your own? • Where does your reasoning fit in with Kohlberg’s stages?

Kohlberg’s original research (1963) • Longitudinal study in Chicago • 58 boys, aged 7, 10, 13 and 16 • Heinz dilemma • Found that the children demonstrated progression through the levels as theory predicted BUT…What methodological problems might there be with his research?

Research support for Kohlberg Colby et al (1983) • Followed up on Kohlberg’s research in a longitudinal study • Re-interview participants every 3 years for 20 years • Found progression - by age of 22, majority were at stage 4 • But, even though most were in their 30 s when the study ended, hardly anyone on stage 5 & no-one on stage 6 • This lead to Kohlberg revising his theory and dropping stage 6

Cross-cultural research • Kohlberg – compared morality in Britain, Mexico, Taiwan, Turkey, USA & Yucatan and found a similar sequence of development (1969 & 1987) • Snarey (1985) cross-cultural meta-analysis of 27 countries: ØStage 4 was highest score in less complex societies, ØStage 5 found in urban societies- both Western and non-Western • Iwasa (1992) – no difference between Japanese & USA scores on moral reasoning but Japanese said don’t steal- keep life purer, USA said do steal – prolong life

Criticising Kohlberg • Very little evidence that stage 6 exists • Are the stages organised wholes? i. e. , do people always apply the same type of reasoning across all situations and then abruptly jump to the next stage? – likely to use different reasoning dependent on the situation • The moral dilemmas involved hypothetical situations - emotions appear to be much more important in real life situations.

Evaluating Kohlberg GENDER BIAS? - Gilligan argued that men's morality is based on principles of law and justice, while women's morality is based on principles of care and responsibility to other people. • - Add your own IDA thinking about: Cultural biases (based on research) – ethnocentrism? Free will vs. determinism Nature/nurture Reductionism Methodological issues