Kohlberg (1968) - The child as a Moral Philosopher

What is the aim?

To investigate the development of moral reasoning throughout adolescence and early adulthood and within different cultures

What is the experiment type?

Longitudinal study

What is the experimental design?

Independent measures

What is the procedure?

Followed the development of the same group of boys for 12 years by presenting them with 25 hypothetical moral dilemmas - interviewed individually every 3 years

What were the aspects assessed (dependent variable)?

• motive given

• the value of human life

What were the findings?

• Kohlberg’s theory of moral development was shown, he gives evidence/examples for this

• not all participants reached stage 6

• participants progressed through the stages one at a time and always in the same order

• no differences were shown between religions

• middle class children were more advanced in moral development

Who were the participants?

• 75 American boys

• 10-16 to ages 22-28

• other cultures such as Turkey and Canada were observed

What were the conclusions?

• moral development occurs in the same sequence regardless of where a child grows up

• middle class children have fast moral development