Moral Development
Moral Development
Introduction to Moral Development
The development of moral judgment raises key questions about the nature of morality.
Are we born as blank slates that learn from others?
Do we have an innate sense of morality that offers some benefits?
Activity: Think-Pair-Share on the origins of moral judgment.
Altruism in Relationships
Altruism Among Unrelated Individuals
The concept of altruism involves selfless concern for the well-being of others.
Such behavior can often be observed in cases like vampire bats, where reciprocal altruism is evident.
Reciprocal altruism refers to acts of kindness that are expected to be returned in the future.
Theoretical Perspectives on Moral Development
Nativism
Definition of Nativism: Moral knowledge is believed to be inherent, suggesting we are "pre-loaded" with moral understanding.
Empiricism
Definition of Empiricism: Moral knowledge arises from perception and societal experiences.
John Locke (1632-1704): Advocated the idea of the mind as a blank slate (tabula rasa).
He posited that society corrupts inherent moral reasoning.
Freud’s Psychoanalytic Theory (1962)
Indicates a constant tension between societal expectations and individual desires.
Moral Development Process:
Selfish desires are suppressed.
Values from socializing agents (e.g., parents) are internalized.
Skinner’s Behaviorist Approach (1972)
Moral behavior is shaped by external influences.
Mechanism: Behavior is guided by reinforcement contingencies, including rewards and punishments.
Focus is placed on observable behavior rather than internal conflicts.
Findings indicate that from an early age, children can distinguish between moral rules and societal conventions.
However, critiques state that children’s struggles with evaluating intentionality are overlooked, and cultural variances in distinguishing manners from morals are unaddressed.
Jean Piaget (1896-1980)
Cognitive Development and Moral Thinking
Piaget believed that children's thought processes differ significantly from adults.
Key Concepts:
Schema: An organized way of interacting with objects.
Assimilation: Using an existing schema to understand new information or problems.
Accommodation: Adjusting an existing schema to incorporate new information.
Piaget’s Stages of Cognitive Development
Piaget’s approach indicates that morality parallels cognitive development, where children are neither innately good nor bad but are masters of their destinies.
Heteronomous Phase (5-10 years):
Moral rules are seen as absolute, stemming from authority figures (e.g., parents).
Rules perceived as permanent and non-negotiable.
Children believe in proportional punishment for misbehavior.
Example: Children in games demonstrate strict adherence to rules.
Autonomous Phase (10+ years):
Focus shifts to the intentions underlying actions rather than the outcomes.
Recognition that morality is subjective and varies among individuals.
Rules can be amended depending on circumstances.
Rejection of the notion of immanent justice (the idea wrongs are inevitably punished).
Examples from Piaget’s Research
Piaget conducted interviews with children regarding moral reasoning. Example scenario included two girls and their interactions with scissors resulting in damage to clothing, leading to inquiries about naughtiness.
Kohlberg’s Theory of Moral Development
Overview of the Theory
Kohlberg emphasized moral reasoning over mere behavior.
Proposed a secular moral framework using moral dilemmas across varying ages to classify stages of moral reasoning.
The six stages are categorized within three levels:
Pre-conventional Level: Characterized by self-centered reasoning.
Conventional Level: Involves conformity to societal norms.
Post-conventional Level: Engages abstract ethical principles.
Stages of Moral Development
Descriptions of the levels include:
Pre-Conventional:
Punishment and compliance orientation: Behavior motivated by avoiding punishment.
Instrumental purpose orientation: Actions motivated by self-interest.
Conventional:
Good Boy/Nice Girl Orientation: Behavior focused on pleasing others and upholding societal expectations.
Law & Order Morality: Emphasis on obedience to authority and rules.
Post-Conventional:
Social Contract Orientation: Understanding mutual benefit and working within societal systems.
Universal Ethical Principles Orientation: Adhering to abstract principles of justice and equality.
Strengths and Limitations of Kohlberg’s Theory
Strengths:
Offers a clear understanding framework for moral development.
Values reasoning over simple adherence to rules.
Claims universality across different cultures.
Limitations:
Moral reasoning does not invariably predict behavior.
Possesses a Western bias toward individualism.
Gender bias observed in sample populations.
Few individuals reach Stage 6 in real life.
Gilligan’s Morality of Care
Comparison to Kohlberg
Gilligan introduced a care perspective in moral decisions, focusing on responsibilities and relationships over strict justice and fairness as seen in Kohlberg's work.
Key Moral Positions:
Survival Orientation: Emphasis on personal needs.
Conventional Care: Focus on others’ needs, often neglecting self.
Integrated Care: A balance between personal and other needs.
Strengths and Limitations of Gilligan’s Theory
Strengths:
Addresses gender bias inherent in previous frameworks.
Sheds light on caring relationships as fundamental to moral development.
Limitations:
Lacks distinctly defined developmental stages.
Limited empirical backing compared to Kohlberg’s theory.
Turiel’s Social Domain Theory (1983)
Key Idea: Differentiation of moral, societal, and personal domains; children derive their moral understanding from real-life experiences concerning harm.
Turiel, along with Piaget and Kohlberg, recognized the rationalist basis for morality, with many psychologists beginning to measure moral progression through the lens of justice.
Influences on Moral Development
Interpersonal Influences
Influences include:
Family dynamics.
Peer interactions.
Cultural and religious context.
Concepts of justice and fairness.
Intrapersonal Influences
Emotions play a vital role in moral reasoning:
Self-Conscious Emotions: Guilt (feeling responsible for causing harm) and shame (feeling inadequate due to perceived wrongs).
Other-Oriented Emotions: Empathy (sharing another's feelings) and sympathy (concern for their well-being).
Research indicates early expressions of care and empathy predict prosocial behavior.
Moral Reasoning in Adolescence
Key developments during adolescence:
More nuanced moral thinking and alignment of behaviors with personal values.
Shifts due to cultural, familial, and societal influences, with increased peer impacts noted during early adolescence.
Adolescents develop abstract thinking, enabling questioning of authority and rules, while forming personal identities and belief systems toward late adolescence.
Challenges to Moral Development
Influential Factors
Traumatic Experiences can disrupt beliefs in a just world.
Social Learning: Understanding moral principles through assimilating immoral adult behaviors.
Parental Influence: Authoritative parenting styles nurture moral growth. Positive peer relationships further foster development.
Kohlberg’s Theory in Adolescence
Conventional Morality (Early Adolescence): A distinct tendency to conform to societal expectations and rules.
Postconventional Morality: Emergence of abstract ethical reasoning underpinning individual actions, emphasizing principles such as justice, dignity, and equality.
Conclusion: Society and Morality
Key questions arise about the societal conditions necessary for individuals to possess a strong moral compass and sense of responsibility.