Ch 4

Learning Outcomes

• 4.1: Describe Kohlberg’s and Gilligan’s theoretical frameworks for moral development and their applications in adolescent education.

• 4.2: Explain the development of the ability to appreciate diverse perspectives during adolescence and its impact on learning and instruction.

• 4.3: Explain the role of religion and religious beliefs in the lives of adolescents.

• 4.4: Discuss how educators can involve adolescents in volunteering and service-learning activities.

• 4.5: Describe the prevalence of academic cheating during adolescence and strategies educators can use to deter cheating.

Introduction

• Focus on nonacademic aspects of adolescents’ lives, integrating moral and social development into education.

• Example: Joel, an 11th grader, volunteers weekly at a nursing home without neglecting academics, demonstrating how personal beliefs about morality and empathy influence decisions.

• Various factors influencing volunteering decisions: moral beliefs, ability to empathize, religious background, parental attitudes.

• Importance of understanding the complexity and varying perspectives among students regarding moral issues.

Overview of the Chapter

• Discussion of how morality develops in adolescence and its implications for educators.

• Exploration of adolescent ability to appreciate diverse perspectives and how it interacts with moral reasoning.

• Examining current issues within educational settings: volunteering, service-learning, and academic cheating.

Moral Development During Adolescence

Adolescent Perspectives on Moral Issues

• Students exhibit diverse interpretations of moral topics; there is no binary right or wrong.

• Case Example: Debate on military draft opinions shows various viewpoints:

  • Student 1 advocates for duty to serve; views aligned with Stage 4 of Kohlberg’s theory (Law-and-order orientation).

  • Student 2 opposes participation due to ethical concerns, indicative of Stage 6 (Universal ethical principles).

  • Student 3 focuses on personal safety, indicating a preconventional reasoning level.

Kohlberg’s Theory of Moral Development

• Stages of Moral Development:

  • Level I: Preconventional

    • Stage 1: Punishment/obedience orientation (self-focused); e.g., not stealing candy to avoid punishment.

    • Stage 2: Instrument/relativist orientation (personal benefit); e.g., following rules if it brings rewards.

  • Level II: Conventional

    • Stage 3: Good-boy/nice-girl orientation (approval-seeking); e.g., helping others for social approval.

    • Stage 4: Law-and-order orientation (respect for authority); e.g., obeying laws to maintain societal order.

  • Level III: Postconventional

    • Stage 5: Social contract/legalistic orientation (laws hold personal significance); e.g., disagreeing with laws that don’t serve justice.

    • Stage 6: Universal ethical principles (dictated by individual conscience); e.g., making decisions based on justice for all.

• Critiques of Kohlberg's theory: applicability across genders, especially to females, has been questioned.

Gilligan’s Theory of Moral Development

• Carol Gilligan critiques Kohlberg’s emphasis on justice over care, suggesting females may prioritize relational ethics.

• Example: Amanda’s theft illustrates how decisions are impacted by personal relationships, a care perspective prevalent among females.

Perspective Taking During Adolescence

Development of Perspective Taking

• Adolescents evolve from egocentric viewpoints to recognizing diverse perspectives, influenced by social interactions.

• Factors affecting perspective-taking:

  • Religious background

  • Personal relationships with individuals from different backgrounds

  • Exposure to societal narratives (e.g., news/media coverage)

• Benefits of Perspective Taking:

  • Improved decision-making involving risky behaviors.

  • Enhanced social interactions and relationships with peers.

Religiosity During Adolescence

Role of Religion in Teen Life

• Religion significantly impacts many adolescents; involvement may range from participation in youth groups to casual spirituality.

• Survey data highlights diversity in U.S. adolescent religious affiliations, with church attendance and belief levels often declining with age.

• Religious belief tie to decreased risky behavior, social responsibility, and peer victimization.

Volunteering and Service Learning

Importance of Service Learning

• Service learning promotes civic responsibility through community engagement while integrating academic learning.

• Differences exist in motivation for volunteerism—some may volunteer for credits while others for intrinsic values.

• Activities fostering social responsibility positively impact academic achievement and peer relations.

Academic Cheating

Prevalence and Reasons for Cheating

• Cheating rates are notably high among adolescents, often linked to a focus on grades and high-stakes assessments.

• Various forms of cheating range from homework copying to plagiarism; high-stakes tests exacerbate these behaviors.

• Strategies to combat cheating include fostering a mastery-oriented environment and allowing second chances on assessments.

Recommendations for Educators

• Acknowledgment: Recognize varying levels of moral and social development among students.

• Use Differences as Learning Tools: Leverage varied viewpoints to encourage discussion and deeper understanding of issues.

• Understand the Role of Religion: Be sensitive to the cultural significance of religion among students; it impacts their development.

• Facilitate Authentic Volunteering Experiences: Support self-initiated volunteering and reflections on those experiences.

• Address Cheating with Sensitivity: Establish clear expectations and communicate the importance of learning over grades to deter dishonesty.