Study Notes on Locus of Control and Kohlberg's Moral Development

Locus of Control

• Rotter's theory distinguishes between internal and external locus of control.

• External locus often has negative connotations.

• Study found that high belief in 'God control' offers benefits similar to high internal locus, mitigating negative effects of external locus.

Implications of Locus of Control

• Influences on behavior across various domains including coping strategies, mental health, and academic performance.

• Can evolve based on context (e.g., authority roles or stress conditions).

• Learning to become more internally oriented is possible.

Kohlberg's Moral Development

• Morality is developed through a predictable sequence of stages, influenced by social interactions.

• Concepts of morality arise from cultural norms internalized over time.

The Stages of Moral Development (Kohlberg)

1. Pre-Moral Level

   • Stage 1: Punishment and obedience orientation.

   • Stage 2: Naive instrumental hedonism.

2. Conventional Morality

   • Stage 3: Good boy-nice girl orientation.

   • Stage 4: Authority maintaining morality.

3. Self-Accepted Moral Principles

   • Stage 5: Morality of agreements and democratic laws.

   • Stage 6: Morality based on individual principles of conscience.

Research Methodology

• Used moral dilemmas to assess reasoning in children of varying ages.

• Found development of moral judgment is age-dependent and progresses through defined stages.

Criticisms of Kohlberg's Theory

• The disconnect between moral reasoning and behavior.

• Allegations of cultural bias in stage definitions, primarily reflecting Western norms.

• Gender bias suggested by Carol Gilligan, positing different moral reasoning processes for men and women, emphasizing relationships versus justice.