Developmental psych- Kohlberg

Who is Kohlberg?

A developmental psychologist he focuses on how people change as we get older

Why could Kohlberg be considered a cognitive psychologist?

because his view is that moral behaviour is governed Kohlberg was influenced by the way we think about moral situations

What was the aims of Kohlbergs investigation?

He aimed to investigate the development of moral reasoning in children in order to create a series of stages that could apply to all

What was Kohlbergs methodology?

Kohlberg conducted a longitudinal study over a period of 12 years

75 young American males were interviewed every 3 years

The participants were aged 10-16 years old at the start of the study and were aged 22-28 by the end

All males from USA to Canada UK, Mexico, Turkey & Taiwan

What was his procedure?

He presented each child with 9 hypothetical moral dilemmas. They were then asked to decided on the correct course of action, and what the moral thing to do is. Each dilemma involved a conflict between 2 moral issues. The children were asked to discuss these issues, and then asked a series of specific open ended questions. Semi-structured interview

Their responses were analysed and general themes were identified. These themes were used as the basis for the stages of moral development. The children were assessed with a similar interview every 3 years, and changes in their moral reasoning were recorded. Oliver’s compared his findings with those from other upturned ro see if there existed cultural differences in moral development

What did Kohlberg find?

He said “stages come one at a time and always in the same orders all movement is forward in sequence and does not skip steps. Children may move through the stages at varying speeds, of course, and may be found half in and half out of a particular stage. An individual may stop at any given stage, but if he continues to move, he must move in accordance with these steps.”

What were the stages and levels Kohlberg identified?

He identified 3 stages/levels. Preconvential, Conventional & Postconventional. Each of these stages could be separated into 2 sub stages. Giving a total of 6 stages

What is believed about the pre-conventional level?

Preconventional morality is based on its actions and direct consequences. Children at this stage only see morality in terms of how actions will affect themselves. They don’t understand society’s conventions regarding right and wrong

What is believed about stage 1?- Obedience and punishment orientation

Orientation towards punishment and unquestioning deference to superior power. The physical consequences of action regardless of their human meaning or value determines its goodness OR badness

What is believed about stage 2?- the instrumental purpose orientation

Right action consists of that which satisfy one’s own needs and occasionally the needs of others. Human relations are viewed in terms like those of the marketplace. Elements of fairness, of reciprocity and equal sharing are present, but they are always interpreted in a physical pragmatic way. Reciprocity is a matter of “you scratch my back I’ll scratch yours”- not loyalty gratitude or justice.

What is believed about the conventional stage?

In this stage, an individual will assess morality by comparing it with society’s views and expectations. An individual accepts and obeys society’s norms and rules, often without question, even if the rule may seem unfair or inappropriate

What is believed about stage 3?- Interpersonal cooperation

Good-boy-good-girl orientation. Good behaviour is that which pleases or helps others and is approved by them. There is much conformity to by them. There is much conformity to stereotypical images of what is majority or ‘natural’ behaviour. Behaviour is often judged my intention- ‘he means well because important for the 1st time, & is overused. Seeks approval by being ‘nice’

What is believed about stage 4?- The social order maintaining orientation

Orientation towards authority, fixed rules & maintenance of the social order. Right behaviour consists of doing one’s duty, showing respect for authority and maintaining the given social order for its own sake. One earns respect by performing dutifully.

What is believed about the post conventional level?

A growing realisation that individuals are separate entities from society. Society’s views may come into conflict with individual views and in some cases the individual may take precedence over society. Disobeying society’s conventions can be seen as acceptable. Morality is judged now by abstract concepts such as liberty, justice and basic human rights. Rules are seen as useful, but not be adhered to absolutely and may be changed. Morality is based on an individuals moral evaluation rather than society’s rules. It is argued that many people never reach this stage of development and that many adults stay in stage 4

What is believed about stage 5?- the social contract orientation

Morality involves understanding that laws are based on mutual agreement. Laws can be changed if they don’t benefit society

Emphasis on individual rights and fairness

What is believed about stage 6?- the universal ethics principles orientation

Orientation toward the decions of conscience and toward chosen ethical principles appealing to logical comprehensiveness, universality and consistency. These principles are abstract and ethical- not concrete moral rules like the 10 commandments. They’re universal principles of justice of the reciprocity & equality of human rights & of respect for the dignity of human beings as individual people.

• What were cross cultural findings?

• Stages are universal

• Differences in how quickly children progress through the stages-

  At 16- most of the USA sample were in stage 4 or 5. In Taiwan and Mexico, most children are at stage 3 or 4

• Middle class children in all cultures progressed quicker than lower class children

• Religions had no effect

What were the conclusions?

• Stages are invariant and universal

• Some individuals may not reach the final stage

• Children at a particular stage of development tend to move forward in their moral reasoning when confronted by the views of a child one stage along. In an argument between a stage 3 & a stage 4 child, the child in the 3rd stage tends to move towards or into stage 4, while the stage 4 child understands but doesn’t accept the arguments of the stage 3 child. Moral discussions could therefore be used to help children develop their moral reasoning.

What was a limitation of Kohlberg using a self-reports method?- Lack of internal validity

He asked participants how they would act in a hypothetical & moral dilemma rather than being observed making real-life decisions. It can lead to inaccurate or biased responses. Eg: participants may begin showing demand characterises subconsciously working out aims of the study- please you effect or the screw you effect skewing the results. Others may show social desirability bias choosing what seems most morally correct and not what they believe leading to inaccuracy & biased responses.

HOWEVER same moral dilemmas & questions used for each participant is a strength because it ensures standardisation. Means all p responding to same scenarios improving the reliability of the research & making it easier to compare responses across individuals & age group.

Self reports decrease internal validity overall

What are the problems with the sample?

Sample all male- androcentric so the results aren’t representative and can’t be generalised to women so doesn’t represent the whole population so unable to know if women would obtain the same results.

Eg Carol Gillgan suggested male morality is dif to female. It’s based on justice rather than caringness. She found evidence for this suggesting Kohlbergs theory was gender biased.

However even thought it was androcentric it’s still representative for males- very diverse so it still has high external validity.

What’s a strength of Kohlbergs research being a longitudinal study?

He was able to collect a lot of qualitative data. Able to observe trends and patterns within the research a lot easier

Eg: as it’s longitudinal he could categorise them as the child grew over 12 years. It’s more generalisable to the population.

However it’s longitudinal and it’s subject to sample attrition, participants leaving the study

What is a weakness of Kohlbergs research not being based on real life decisions?

Kohlbergs use of moral dilemmas such as the Heinz dilemma may not accurately reflect how people make moral decisions in real life situations where emotions & personal consequences play a bigger role so study LACKS ecological validity

Eg: Gillian’s own research interviewing people about their moral dilemmas about whether to have an abortion. More valid because it focuses on moral reasoning in real contexts, which are more likely to elicit more authentic responses & shows how people actually think & behave when faced with moral choices in everyday lives.

Therefore this suggests that participants may react differently in context of the dilemmas were more specific to real life situations, showing a lack of ecological validity in the research.