week 13 morality

What is the premoral stage in Piaget’s theory of moral development?

It is the stage (ages 2–4) where children have no clear sense of rules or morality.

What characterizes moral realism in Piaget’s theory?

Between ages 5–7, children view rules as unchangeable, believe in immanent justice, and see punishment as linked to rule importance.

What is heteronomous morality?

It is the belief that rules come from external authorities and must be followed without question.

What marks the transition to moral relativism in Piaget’s theory?

Around ages 8–10 and beyond, children begin to see rules as human constructs and consider the intent behind actions.

How does cognitive development influence the shift to moral relativism?

Improved perspective-taking and reasoning skills help children understand that rules are created by people for society’s benefit.

What modern view challenges Piaget’s original findings on moral reasoning?

Research suggests even preschoolers can question adult authority, indicating earlier moral reasoning than Piaget proposed.

What method did Kohlberg use to study moral development?

He presented moral dilemmas (like the Heinz dilemma) to assess justifications for actions.

What is Preconventional Morality according to Kohlberg?

A level where moral reasoning is based on avoiding punishment (Stage 1: Obedience Orientation) and serving personal interests (Stage 2: Instrumental Orientation).

What defines Stage 1 (Obedience Orientation) in Kohlberg’s theory?

The belief that rules must be followed to avoid punishment.

What is Stage 2 (Instrumental Orientation) in Kohlberg’s theory?

It is the stage where actions are considered acceptable if they serve personal needs or interests.

What is Conventional Morality in Kohlberg’s framework?

A level common in adolescents and adults, focusing on interpersonal norms (Stage 3) and social system order (Stage 4).

What characterizes Stage 3 (Interpersonal Norms) in Kohlberg’s theory?

"Good" behavior is defined by actions that please others and gain approval.

What is Stage 4 (Social System Morality) in Kohlberg’s theory?

It emphasizes maintaining law and order to ensure societal functioning.

What is Postconventional Morality according to Kohlberg?

A level reached by some adults (often after age 25), where moral reasoning is based on social contracts (Stage 5) and universal ethical principles (Stage 6).

What does Stage 5 (Social Contract Orientation) emphasize?

The view that laws exist for the common good but can be questioned if they fail to protect fundamental rights.

What is the focus of Stage 6 (Universal Ethical Principles) in Kohlberg’s theory?

It centers on justice, equality, and human rights above all else.

What empirical pattern is observed in Kohlberg’s stages of moral development?

People typically progress through the stages in order without skipping any stages.

How are higher stages of moral reasoning often linked to behavior?

They are frequently correlated with social activism.

What criticism is often directed at Kohlberg’s theory of moral development?

It is criticized for cultural bias favoring Western, individualistic values and for variability in reasoning across contexts.

How do cultural differences influence moral reasoning?

Different societies prioritize collective well-being versus individual feelings, affecting perceptions of actions like lying to protect a friend.

What is Gilligan’s Ethic of Care?

It is a perspective suggesting that women emphasize care and relationships more than abstract justice in moral reasoning.

How do Gilligan’s findings challenge Kohlberg’s theory?

They indicate that moral reasoning may differ by gender, though later research shows both genders value fairness and helping others in varied contexts.

What is a key takeaway regarding moral development?

Moral reasoning evolves with cognitive growth and social experiences, and culture plays a strong role in shaping what is considered moral.

What is prosocial behavior?

It refers to voluntary actions intended to benefit others.

What is an early sign of prosocial behavior in newborns?

Newborns cry when they hear other babies cry, which is a precursor to empathy.

At what age do infants typically begin to actively help others?

Around 18 months, many infants begin helping others achieve goals.

Which skills are crucial for the development of prosocial behavior?

Empathy, perspective-taking, and moral reasoning are key skills for prosocial development.

How do social learning and responsive parenting influence prosocial behavior?

Children learn to be prosocial by observing altruistic models and through positive, responsive interactions with caregivers.

What role do cultural variations play in prosocial development?

Parenting goals, such as autonomy versus obedience, can lead to differences in children’s helping behaviors across cultures.

What does the Temptation Resistance Paradigm reveal about children’s behavior?

Most children peek when told not to, and many older than 4 will lie about it, highlighting challenges in truth-telling.

How do adults typically respond to children’s lies?

Adults often have a “truth bias” and tend to believe that children are truthful.

What evidence from animal studies supports the idea of innate prosocial tendencies?

Some non-human primates exhibit helping behaviors, though less complex than those seen in human toddlers.

What genetic and biological factors are linked to prosocial behavior?

Higher similarity in prosocial traits among monozygotic twins, temperament, capacity for imitation, and the role of oxytocin are all linked to prosocial behavior.

What is the role of oxytocin in prosocial behavior?

Oxytocin is a hormone associated with empathy, trust, and bonding that can be enhanced by social contact and nurturing activities.

What is a restorative approach to managing bullying in relation to prosocial development?

Approaches like Talking Circles, which encourage reflection, empathy, and conflict resolution, help foster moral growth.

What does the early emergence of prosocial acts by 18 months suggest?

It indicates that there may be an innate drive to help others.

How do context and individual differences shape prosocial outcomes?

Factors such as familiarity, cultural norms, and personal temperament influence whether children exhibit prosocial or antisocial behaviors.