Lawrence Kohlberg

Does moral development happen based on age?

What influences moral development?

Discontinuous

Nurture

Morals vs values

Morals: Societal view of right+wrong

Values: Individual view of right+wrong

Not everyone gets to all levels

Very rare to go backwards

**Does not consider emotions

Kohlberg uses the Heinz dilemma + other moral questions to develop his theory

NOT based on how moral we are

NOT based on age 

NOT a process of maturity

IS based on justice

IS based on cognitive + psychosocial development

IS based on how we justify our behavior

IS based on interviews with young boys in the 1950s (only white boys)

Level 1: Pre conventional

Preschool children up to junior high students

Base decisions on what’s best for them

Rules are absolute

Do they obey the rules? Only if made by more powerful people

What is their mantra? Disobey rules if not likely to get caught

What is wrong behavior? Things that get punished

Answer to the Heinz dilemma: Don’t steal the drug because he might get caught

Elementary to high school

Understand that others have needs

Try to help others with their needs (if it’s beneficial to them) for the first time

How do they define right + wrong? In terms of what happens to them, not a greater good

Answer to Heinz dilemma: Don’t steal the drug because there is no benefit to him   

Level 2: Conventional Morality 

Older elementary students, middle school students, some high school students

Decisions based on actions that will please others, especially those with status

Focus on maintaining relationships by trust & loyalty (sometimes to the exclusion of their own ideas)

Emphasis on conformity

Similar to identity vs role confusion

How would they answer the Heinz dilemma? Depends on who they want approval from - friends vs wife

Most high school students

Who do they look to for guidelines? Society as a whole

Follow the rules and respect authority

Perceive rules as inflexible

Don’t recognize that rules change with society

How would they answer the Heinz dilemma? Don’t steal the drug because it’s against the law

Level 3: Post-conventional Morality   

Rarely seen before college

People begin to account for differing values, opinions, & the beliefs of others

Recognize rules…

Are agreements among people about behavior that can change

Protect individual rights - but are not absolute

Are changeable if they don’t serve society

How would they answer the Heinz dilemma? Wouldn’t steal the drug, but would find a way around it (ie, work with the druggist)

Hypothetical ideal stage

Few people ever reach

Follow a few abstract, universal principles that transcend that law

Disobey laws that violate ethical principles

Way of life, not specific decisions

How would they answer the Heinz dilemma? Steals the drug but tells the authorities he’s done it

  *Stage 2: Individualism and exchange of favors

Moral Thinking vs Moral Doing/acting

Overemphasizes justice

Ignores caring, compassion, & emotion

Gender bias

Men justice

Women caring

Western cultural bias: no regard for other societies