Kohlberg's Study on Moral Development

These flashcards summarize key concepts and findings from Lawrence Kohlberg's study on moral development.

What was the primary aim of Kohlberg's study?

To investigate how individuals progress through different stages of moral reasoning.

What are the invariant stages proposed by Kohlberg?

Moral reasoning develops through a series of invariant stages that follow a fixed order.

How many stages did Kohlberg propose in his theory of moral development?

Kohlberg proposed six stages grouped into three levels.

What is the Heinz Dilemma?

A moral dilemma where Heinz's wife is dying of cancer, and he must decide whether to steal an expensive drug to save her.

What do the stages in the Pre-Conventional Level focus on?

They focus on obedience and punishment orientation, and self-interest orientation.

What is the key characteristic of the Post-Conventional Level?

Decisions are based on abstract ethical principles such as justice and equality.

What conclusion did Kohlberg reach about moral development?

Moral development occurs in a series of universal and invariant stages.

What is a significant strength of Kohlberg's study?

The longitudinal design allowed for observation of developmental changes over time.

What was one weakness of Kohlberg's sample?

The study only included boys, raising concerns about gender bias.

What does the term 'ethnocentrism' refer to in the context of Kohlberg's study?

The dilemmas presented were rooted in Western values, which may not reflect non-Western moral frameworks.

What type of data did Kohlberg's open-ended questions provide?

Qualitative insights into moral reasoning.

How did Kohlberg's study impact education?

It helped in designing curricula that foster higher levels of moral reasoning.

What is a limitation of Kohlberg's focus on reasoning?

It emphasizes reasoning rather than actual moral behavior.

What age group predominantly operated at the pre-conventional level?

Younger children, specifically 10-year-olds.

In which countries did Kohlberg extend his research regarding moral reasoning?

Turkey, Taiwan, Mexico, and the UK.