Lawrence Kohlberg

Overview

• Used moral dilemmas

• Analysed reasoning behind responses

• Identified 3 stages of moral reasoning each with two sub stages

• Intelligence is more about the processes you use to arrive your answers at rather than the answers themselves

• Can learn more about human reasoning by understanding how people reach their conclusions

Heinz Dillemma

It centers on a man named Heinz who must decide whether to steal an overpriced, life-saving drug to save his dying wife, forcing a conflict between the legal right to property and the moral right to life.

• Should he have taken the drug? Was stealing it right or wrong and why? Would a good husband do it? Do they have a right to charge so much why and why not?

Moral Development Theory - Preconventional Morality

Judgements are based on external authorities and the actions consequences determine whether it is good or bad

Motivated by Self-Interest

Stage 1: Obedience/Punishment

• Avoid punishment, focus on consequences rather than intentions

• Obey authority

Stage 2: Individualism and Exchange

• Right behaviours are those that are in best intersest of oneself (tit for tat)

• Seek rewards

• Serve own needs

• Reciprocal benefit

Typical Age

• Up to about 9 years

Moral Development Theory - Conventional Morality

Normative behaviour is good and non-normative behaviour is bad (peer group is reference for evaluating behaviour)

Motivated by Social Approval & Rules

Stage 3: Interpersonal Relationships

• Good Boy/Nice Girl attitude

• Gain approval

• Avoid disapproval (sees individuals as filling social roles)

• Be “good”

Stage 4: Authority and Social order

• Follow laws (highest ideals)

• Maintain social order with social obedience

• Avoid guilt

Typical Period

• Late childhood and early adolescence

Moral Development Theory - Postconventional Morality

Personal authority emerges in which an individual makes choices based on self chosen/universal principles

Motivated by Abstract Moral Principles

Stage 5: Social Contract

• Laws exist for good of society and is contingent on culture

• Commitment to fair rules

Stage 6: Universal Ethical Principles

• Follow personal moral principles, above the law

• Even if rules/laws are broken

• Few people reach this level

Criticisms

Main Criticisms

• Focuses on reasoning, not actual behaviour

• People may know right from wrong but act differently

• Western cultural bias

Cultural Criticism

• Emphasises individual reasoning

• Some cultures prioritise:

  • Community values

  • Respect for elders