Hockenbury Discovering Psychology 5th txtbk

Adolescence401The Development of Moral ReasoningAn important aspect of cognitive development during adolescence is a changein moral reasoning—how an individual thinks about moral decisions. The adolescent’sincreased capacities to think abstractly, imagine hypothetical situations, andcompare ideals to the real world all affect his thinking about moral issues.The most influential theory of moral development was proposed by LawrenceKohlberg (1927–1987). Kohlberg’s interest in moral development may have beentriggered by his experiences as a young adult (see photo on the next page).Kohlberg used hypothetical moral dilemmas to investigate moral reasoning,such as whether a husband should steal a drug he could not afford to cure hisdying wife. In Kohlberg’s theory (1976, 1984), it is the reasoning people useto justify their answers that is significant. Kohlberg analyzed the responses ofchildren, adolescents, and adults to such hypothetical moral dilemmas. He concludedthat there are distinct stages of moral development. These stages unfoldin an age-related, step-by-step fashion, much like Piaget’s stages of cognitivedevelopment (Kohlberg, 1981).Kohlberg proposed three distinct levels of moral reasoning: preconventional,conventional, and postconventional. Each level is based on the degree to whicha person conforms to conventional standards of society. Furthermore, each levelhas two stages that represent different degrees of sophistication in moral reasoning.Table 9.5 describes the characteristics of the moral reasoning associatedwith each of Kohlberg’s levels and stages.Kohlberg found that the responses of children under the age of 10 reflectedpreconventional moral reasoning based on self-interest—avoiding punishment andmaximizing personal gain. Beginning in late childhood and continuing throughadolescence and adulthood, responses typically reflected conventional moral reasoning,which emphasizes social roles, rules, and obligations. Thus, the progressionfrom preconventional to conventional moral reasoning is closely associated withage-related cognitive abilities (Kohlberg, 1984; Walker, 1989).Do people inevitably advance from conventional to postconventional moral reasoning,as Kohlberg once thought? In a 20-year longitudinal study, Kohlbergfollowed a group of boys from late childhood through early adulthood. Of the 58subjects in the study, only 8 subjects occasionally displayed stage 5 reasoning, whichmoral reasoningThe aspect of cognitive development thathas to do with how an individual reasonsabout moral decisions.“Apparently, he’s not ready for stories filledwith moral ambiguity.”© The New Yorker Collection 2003 William Haefeli fromcartoonbank.com. All Right Reserved.Table 9.5Kohlberg’s Levels and Stages of Moral DevelopmentI. Preconventional LevelMoral reasoning is guided by external consequences. No internalizationof values or rules.Stage 1: Punishment and Obedience”Right” is obeying the rules simply to avoid punishment becauseothers have power over you and can punish you.Stage 2: Mutual Benefit”Right” is an even or fair exchange, so that both parties benefit.Moral reasoning guided by a sense of “fair play.”II. Conventional LevelMoral reasoning is guided by conformity to social roles, rules, andexpectations that the person has learned and internalized.Stage 3: Interpersonal Expectations”Right” is being a “good” person by conforming to social expectations,such as showing concern for others and following rulesset by others so as to win their approval.Stage 4: Law and Order”Right” is helping maintain social order by doing one’s duty,obeying laws simply because they are laws, and showingrespect for authorities simply because they are authorities.III. Postconventional LevelMoral reasoning is guided by internalized legal and moralprinciples that protect the rights of all members of society.Stage 5: Legal Principles”Right” is helping protect the basic rights of all members ofsociety by upholding legalistic principles that promote thevalues of fairness, justice, equality, and democracy.Stage 6: Universal Moral Principles”Right” is determined by self-chosen ethical principles thatreflect the person’s respect for ideals such as nonviolence,equality, and human dignity. If these moral principles conflictwith democratically determined laws, the person’s selfchosenmoral principles take precedence.Sources: Based on Kohlberg (1981) and Colby & others (1983).