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Portland State University , Department of Psychology

PSY 311U: HUMAN DEVELOPMENT

Lecture 15 Moral Development: Cognitive-Developmental Approach Lawrence Kohlberg Used philosophy in order to define what is moral Morality is a philosophical (ethical), rather than a behavioral, concept Justice: The most essential structure of morality Justice = Equality Justice is not a RULE Justice is a MORAL PRINCIPLE Gilligan: CARE Kohlberg's Method: Uses Piaget's approach Confronts person with moral dilemma in the form of a story One example: Heinz dilemma Moral Development Levels: Preconventional Level: Stages 1 & 2 Conventional Level: Stages 3 & 4 Postconventional (Principled) Level: Stages 5 & 6 Moral Development: All human beings, everywhere, develop moral thinking through stages Morality develops slowly Moral Development (Cont): Broad sweep of moral development: Self-focus / Conformity / Principled Morality Preconventional Morality: Stages 1 & 2 Stages of childhood; unusual in adults Moral thinking dominated by child's egocentric needs and desires Moral judgments made solely on basis of anticipated punishment or reward Perspective of self dominates Stage 1 Morality: Punishment & Obedience Orientation Decide about issues on basis of personal fear & avoidance of punishment Physical consequences of action determine its goodness/badness Stage 1 person avoids trouble by obeying powerful authorities Stage 1 Morality: Punishment & Obedience Orientation (Cont): What is Moral: Obedience to commands of authority in order to avoid punishment Do what you do in order to avoid displeasing those who have power over you Stage 2 Morality: Instrumental Hedonist Orientation What is Moral: Whatever satisfies one's own needs & occasionally needs of others Any behavior is good if outcome is advantageous to self Stage 2 person inclined to exchange favors  Stage 2 Morality: Instrumental Hedonist Orientation (Cont): Sense of fair exchange based on pragmatic values Sense of noninterference in affairs or values of others About 5% of adults are preconventional, most at Stage 2 Conventional Morality:  Stages 3 & 4 First appears in adolescence Individual has internalized values of others Moral thinking based on recognition of conventional order & rules/laws laid down by society Conventional Morality (Cont): Stages 3 & 4 See it as valuable to maintain expectations of family, group, nation CONFORM to these expectations Perspectives of others recognized: particular social groups or authorities Stage 3 Morality: Good Boy/Nice Girl Orientation Moral judgments determined by values of others--parents or peers Emphasis on conformity and being "nice" What is Moral: Whatever meets expectations of others Modal stage for women Stage 4 Morality: Law-and-Order Orientation Sense of duty & positive responsibility to others Rules & obligations valued because they're necessary for stable society "What would happen if everybody...?" Stage 4 Morality (Cont): Law-and-Order Orientation What is Moral: ...  Doing one's duty Showing respect for authority Maintaining social order for its own sake Modal stage for men Postconventional (Principled) Morality: STAGES 5 & 6 If it develops at all, not until adulthood Rooted in principles of justice that are valid apart from authority Based on rational considerations of moral obligation Perspective of all individuals Only 1/6 to 1/8 of adults Stage 5 Morality:Social Contract Orientation Concern for creation of "good" laws & rules that maximize individual welfare Rules are social contracts made for a specific purpose Contract is essential obligation, not content of rule Stage 5 Morality (Cont): Social Contract Orientation Majority will & majority welfare important Greatest good for greatest number What is Moral: Standards democratically agreed upon by whole society Stage 6 Morality: Universal Ethical Principle Orientation Respect for equal value of lives Respect for all persons as ends (not as means to an end) Self-chosen, fully internalized principles that are universally valid Stage 6 Morality (Cont): Universal Ethical Principle Orientation What is Moral: Decision of conscience in accord with self-chosen ethical principles Universal principles of justice Reciprocity & equality of human rights Respect for dignity of human beings as individual persons END

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