1.Moral Development 0 What does moral mean? 0 At various times in our lives, our morals are challenged when we are confronted with a moral dilemma. In these situations we have to decide which one of two courses of action to take, both of which can make us feel psychologically uncomfortable. 0 Moral dilemma: A social problem which has two or more solutions, each of which is wrong in some way.

2. Moral Development 0 The gradual development of an individuals concept of right and wrong. 0 Includes the development of a conscience, spiritual values, social attitudes, certain behaviours. 0 Morals are learned from experience. 3. Lawrence Kohlbergs Stages of Moral Development 0Theory inspired by Jean Piaget: The development of moral reasoning progresses sequentially through a series of developmental stages (Piagets cognitive stages). 0Method- Moral dilemmas (Heinz): to investigate childrens reasoning. 06 stages in total: 3 Broad levels of moral development, 2 stages each. 4. Scenario 1: The Heinz Dilemma 0 A woman was near death from a unique kind of cancer. There is a drug that might save her. The drug costs $4,000 per dosage. The sick woman's husband, Heinz, went to everyone he knew to borrow the money and tried every legal means, but he could only get together about $2,000. He asked the doctor scientist who discovered the drug for a discount or let him pay later. But the doctor scientist refused. Should Heinz break into the laboratory to steal the drug for his wife? Why or why not? 5. Scenario 2: Hungry Crew Member 0 You and a friend are working at McDonalds. 0 6am 2pm shift. 0 You brought your own lunch to work, but your friend hasnt had breakfast yet and forgot to bring money. 0 The manager said crew members are not allowed to eat the food for free. 0 There is a cheeseburger lying on the counter. 0 Your friend looks like he is about to faint. 0 Should you take the cheeseburger for your friend? Why or why not? 6. 1. Preconventional Level (0-9 years) 0 Children have little awareness of moral behaviour that is socially or culturally acceptable. 0 Rules = something they have to follow because others tell them to. They do not truly believe in the rules. 0 What is right is what you can get away with (what is personally satisfying). 7. Stage 1: Obedience and punishment orientation 0 The concern is for self - "Will I get into trouble for doing (or not doing) it? 0 Punishment. Behaviour that is right or wrong is based on their fear of consequences. 0 The worse the punishment = the more bad the behaviour. 8. Stage 2: Naively egotistical orientation 0 The concern is "What's in it for me?" 0 Rewards. The right way to behave is the way that is rewarded and that will please others. 0 Still egocentric in outlook but with a growing ability to see things from another person's perspective. 9. The Marshmallow Experiment 10. 2. Conventional Level (9-15 years) 0 Considerate of the thoughts and feelings of others, have internalised many moral values. Why do you think they would be able to do this now? 0 Motivation to follow rules is less about punishment or rewards, but rather to gain the approval of others. 11. Stage 3: Good boy/Nice girl orientation 0The concern is "What will people think of me?" 0Social approval. What is right or wrong is determined by others. The pre-adolescent often obeys rules to please others and to obtain praise and approval from people who are important in their lives. 0 Many people do not develop beyond the conventional level of moral reasoning, and some people do not develop beyond stage 3. 12. Stage 4: Law-and-social-order- maintaining orientation 0 The concern now goes beyond one's immediate group(s) to the larger society, and to the maintenance of law and order. 0 Legal approval. What is right or wrong is determined by social institutions (e.g. the law, the school, the church). Conform to maintain social order without question. 0 Seek to avoid guilt and shame which come from criticism by authoritative figures. 13. 3. Postconventional Level (16+ years) 0 Develop true morality. 0 Decision to do what is morally right is guided by their conscience which may conflict with societys laws, i.e. Morally right vs. legally right. 14. Stage 5: Legalistic-social-contract orientation 0 The concern is for the greater good of society. 0 Right behaviour is one that protects the rights of the individual according to rules agreed upon by the whole society. 0 More likely to challenge the law. While rules are needed to maintain social order, they should not be blindly obeyed but should be set up (even changed) for the greater good of society. 15. Stage 6: Universal-ethical orientation 0 The concern is for moral principles. 0 Right or wrong is not what the majority of people want to do. Follow their conscience even if their views can conflict with societys views of what is right and wrong. 16. Criticisms of Kohlbergs theory Page 222 17. Lawrence Kohlberg Moral Development Isawa (1992) Cross cultural analysis Japan & USA Similar stages of moral reasoning But cultural differences USA participants favoured Heinz stealing to preserve his wifes life. Japanese participants thought he should not to preserve a clean & pure life.