Developing Through the Lifespan Pt. 2

Moral development

Understanding of right and wrong (and in-between)

Initially (moral development)

Moral behavior results from external factors

Later (moral development)

internalization of morals

Kohlberg’s theory of moral development

cognitive capabilities determine development of moral reasoning

What age is preconventional morality?

Ages 4-10

Preconventional morality

Avoid punishment or gain reward

What age is conventional morality?

after age 10

Conventional morality

“law and order”

What age is postconventional morality

early adolescence/ young adulthood

Postconventional morality

individual principles and conscience

Delay of gratification

ability to forego smaller, immediate reward for greater rewards later

what are the positive effects of having the ability to delay gratification?

Positive social and academic outcomes

What is the Socioemotional selectivity theory?

It is a model of social activity

What is social activity like in old age?

Smaller social networks, only very close relationships are maintained.

The idea of death and dying to older adults?

They express less anxiety about or fear of death than middle- aged adults

why are older adults more comfortable with the idea of death?

Children are grown and independent and they are socialized to possibility of death.