Moral Development

Kohlberg vs. Gilligan

Preconventional Morality

Preconventional Morality

decisions shaped by adult expectations and reinforcement (rewards + punishments)

Conventional Morality

Acceptance of social norms on what is moral

• based on role models in society

Postconventional Morality

abstract principles on morality

• having differing opinions on morality, even if they conflict with societal norms

• only 10% of adults reach

Criticisms of Kohlberg’s theory

• gender bias (all subjects were male)

  • he believed that women were stuck at substage 3 (in conventional morality)

Gilligan’s reforms

Kohlberg’s theory overemphasized justice

• she placed a stronger emphasis on COMPASSION in moral decision making