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    Kohlberg's Theory of Moral Development

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    Mhd Suhaib
    Lawrence Kohlberg proposed a stage theory of moral development with 6 stages grouped into 3 levels: pre-conventional, conventional, and post-conventional. Carol Gilligan critiqued Kohlberg for not accounting for gender differences, proposing that morality can be based on an ethics of care or justice. Her theory focuses on increased self-awareness rather than cognitive development in moral growth. Researchers find males tend toward a justice perspective while females tend toward an ethics of care.

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    Kohlberg's Theory of Moral Development

    Uploaded by

    Mhd Suhaib
    826 views7 pages
    Lawrence Kohlberg proposed a stage theory of moral development with 6 stages grouped into 3 levels: pre-conventional, conventional, and post-conventional. Carol Gilligan critiqued Kohlberg for not accounting for gender differences, proposing that morality can be based on an ethics of care or justice. Her theory focuses on increased self-awareness rather than cognitive development in moral growth. Researchers find males tend toward a justice perspective while females tend toward an ethics of care.

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    KOHLBERG’S THEORY OF MORAL DEVELOPMENT

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    Lawrence Kohlberg proposed a stage theory of moral development with 6 stages grouped into 3 levels: pre-conventional, conventional, and post-conventional. Carol Gilligan critiqued Kohlberg for not accounting for gender differences, proposing that morality can be based on an ethics of care or justice. Her theory focuses on increased self-awareness rather than cognitive development in moral growth. Researchers find males tend toward a justice perspective while females tend toward an ethics of care.

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    826 views7 pages

    Kohlberg's Theory of Moral Development

    Uploaded by

    Mhd Suhaib
    Lawrence Kohlberg proposed a stage theory of moral development with 6 stages grouped into 3 levels: pre-conventional, conventional, and post-conventional. Carol Gilligan critiqued Kohlberg for not accounting for gender differences, proposing that morality can be based on an ethics of care or justice. Her theory focuses on increased self-awareness rather than cognitive development in moral growth. Researchers find males tend toward a justice perspective while females tend toward an ethics of care.

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    KOHLBERG’S THEORY OF

    MORAL DEVELOPMENT
    Lawrence Kohlberg proposed a stage theory of moral development. In this, he identified
    six stages in the gradual progression of individuals’ concept of right and wrong. The six
    stages are grouped into three levels as given below.

    LEVEL STAGE ORIENTATION


    1 Pre conventional 1 Obedience & Punishment
    2 Individualism & Exchange
    2 conventional 3 Good Boy – Good Girl
    4 Law & Social Order
    3 Post conventional 5 Social Contract
    6 Universal Ethical Principles
    Pre Conventional Morality

    Stage 1: Obedience and Punishment Stage 2: Individualism and


    Exchange
    This is the first stage of moral development At this stage, children become self absorbed and
    usually found in small children. A small egotistical. Though they acknowledge individual
    number of adults never grow out of this stage. points of view, actions are judged on the basis of
    A child in this stage assumes that it how they serve individual needs. A child at this
    should obey all the rules made by the authority, stage believes he or she is generous but is in fact
    without question. Parents, teachers, self absorbed. He or she is likely to expect a
    reward for every non selfish act and will do a
    etc. are seen as authority figures. The child’s favor to get a favor. Here disobedience and
    sense of right and wrong is determined by
    wrong doing are avoided in self interest .
    what gets punished and what doesn’t.
    Conventional Morality
    Stage 3: Good Boy – Good Girl Stage 4: Law and Social Order
    Orientation
    At this stage, people become concerned with
    society as a whole. Emphasize will be on
    Usually this stage occurs when children maintaining the social order. Following the
    enter their teens where they see the law, discharging one’s duties, respecting
    approval of peers as very important. authority, etc. are considered important as
    Importance will be for nice behavior they help maintaining the social order.
    and conformity. Nice behavior includes Moral judgement will be based on views
    good intentions, sympathy, empathy, taking into account the impact on society as a
    love and trust for others in any whole. Written law is of the most important
    interpersonal relationship. They expect here. Majority of adults do not grow
    to live up to the expectation levels. beyond this stage.
    Post Conventional Morality
    Stage 5: Social Contract Stage 6: Universal Ethical Principles

    This is the highest level of moral reasoning


    People at this stage are aware of the importance of according to Kohlberg. Here moral reasoning
    maintaining the social order but not at the expense is based on conscience, abstract reasoning and
    of individual rights. They know that rigid laws must an evolved sense of justice that go beyond rules
    be changed for the welfare of the people. They and laws. Very few people who have higher
    value differing opinions, contrasting beliefs and ethical principles reach this stage. Dignity and
    diverse values. Laws must be formed by the society value of humanity are given priority to social
    only through consensus. People at this stage believe customs and written laws. The principles of
    that a good society should function for the welfare justice are universal and are applicable to
    of all everyone. For an example, a law framed by a
    majority through a democratic procedure is not
    morallyright if it hurts a minority or even a single
    individual. People at this stage will have no
    self interest.
    GILLIGAN’S THEORY OF
    MORAL DEVELOPMENT
    Carol Gilligan was a student of Kohlberg and her theory is founded on the inadequacy of Kohlberg’s
    theory to explain female psychology of moral development Gilligan’s theory was based on care and
    contextual reasoning. She argued that the moral sense of female revolves around the ethics of care
    and compassion and women give more importance to relationships than men do. Gilligan’s theory
    proposes three stages and unlike Kohlberg’s theory, the transition to higher stages is due to
    increased self awareness rather than cognitive development.

    Care Based Morality & Justice Based Morality


    Gilligan proposed the Stages of the Ethics of Care theory, which addresses what makes actions right
    or wrong. Gilligan's theory focused on both care based morality and justice based morality
    Care Based Morality principles:

    • Emphasizes interconnectedness and universality.


    • Acting justly means avoiding violence and helping those in need.
    • Care based morality is thought to be more common in girls because of
    their connections to their mothers.
    • Because girls remain connected to their mothers, they are less
    inclined to worry about issues of fairness.
    Justice Based Morality principles:

    • Views the world as being composed of autonomous individuals who


    interact with another.
    • Acting justly means avoiding inequality.
    • Is thought to be more common in boys because of their need to
    differentiate between themselves and their mothers.
    • Because they are separated from their mothers, boys become more
    concerned with the concept of inequality

    Researchers have found a tendency for males to adopt the justice perspective and for females
    to be more likely than males to adopt the caring perspective.

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