Moral development theiry- cognotive

Kohlberg: Moral Development Theory

Kohlberg suggested that criminals' moral development is stuck at a less mature level than everyone else's They are likely to think only in terms of whether their actions will lead to a reward or punishment, rather than how it might affect others This therefore makes them more likely to offend

Kohlberg: Moral Development Theory

This is all about how we develop our moral thinking Our ideas of right and wrong develop through a series of levels and stages from childhood to adulthood.

Pre-moral level/Preconventional level

Children/ young people define right and wrong in terms of rewards and punishments.

Adults

Adults define right and wrong in terms of underlying moral principles and values (e.g. helping others)

Moral Development Theory : Strengths

Some other studies have shown that delinquents are more likely to have immature moral development Thornton and Reid - found this for crimes such as theft and robbery (involve reasoning) than in cases of violent crimes (more impulsive crimes)

Moral Development Theory : Weakness

Focus on thinking not behaviour Someone can think morally and act immorall