Developmental Psychology Moral Development Kohlberg (pages ) Three Levels / Six Stages

Kohlberg’s Levels of Moral Development What is Morality?  Involves the ability to discern right from wrong and to behave accordingly.

Kohlberg’s Levels of Moral Development Level I. Preconventional Morality Stage 1. Punishment orientation - compliance with rules to avoid punishment. Stage 2. Naïve reward orientation - compliance with rules to get rewards, sharing in order to get returns.

Kohlberg’s Levels of Moral Development Level II. Conventional Morality Stage 3. Good-boy/good girl orientation - conformity to rules that are defined by others’ approval/disapproval. Stage 4. Authority orientation - rigid conformity to society’s rules. (duty, honor, guilt)

Kohlberg’s Levels of Moral Development Level III. Postconventional Morality Stage 5. Social contract orientation - flexible; rules are there for order, but can be changed if better alternative. Stage 6. Morality of individual principles and conscience - behavior conforms to internal principles. (individual justice)

Kohlberg’s Levels of Moral Development It is not unusual to find evidence that a particular person uses all three levels of moral reasoning at the same time. There is some evidence that Kohlberg’s levels are male-based. Females have greater sense of self- sacrifice than males, therefore their moral development is different.

What Would You Do? You see someone shoplifting at a department store. Do you report this person? Why? You see someone shoplifting at a department store. Do you report this person? Why? A store clerk makes a mistake when totaling your bill and charges you $20 less for your merchandise. Do you point out the clerks mistake? Why? A store clerk makes a mistake when totaling your bill and charges you $20 less for your merchandise. Do you point out the clerks mistake? Why? Your friend calls and tells you that he told his parents he was with you on Friday night, even though he was not. He asks that if his parents call and ask you if this is true that you lie for him and say yes. That night his parents call, what do you say? Why? Your friend calls and tells you that he told his parents he was with you on Friday night, even though he was not. He asks that if his parents call and ask you if this is true that you lie for him and say yes. That night his parents call, what do you say? Why?

Kohlberg’s Stages of Moral Reasoning: 1. Obedience 2. Self-interest 3. Conformity 4. Law and Order 5. Human Rights 6. Universal Human Ethics

In Europe, a woman was near death from cancer. One drug might save her, a form of radium that a druggist in the same town had recently discovered. The druggist was charging $2000, ten times what the drug cost to make. The sick woman’s husband, Heinz, went to everyone he knew to borrow the money, but he could only get together about half of what it cost. He told the druggist that his wife was dying and asked him to sell it cheaper or let him pay later. But the druggist said “No.” The husband got desperate and broke into the man’s store to steal the drug for his wife. Should the husband have done that? Why? Explain your justification. (3+ sentences)

What should Heinz do? From a theoretical point of view, it is not important what you think Heinz should do. From a theoretical point of view, it is not important what you think Heinz should do. The point of interest is the justification that you provide. The point of interest is the justification that you provide. What level/stage does your justification fall into? What level/stage does your justification fall into?

Level 1 – Preconventional Morality Stage 1: (obedience) Heinz should not steal the medicine, because he will be put in prison. Stage 1: (obedience) Heinz should not steal the medicine, because he will be put in prison. Stage 2: (self-interest) Heinz should steal the medicine, because he will be much happier if he saves his wife, even if he will have to serve a prison sentence. Stage 2: (self-interest) Heinz should steal the medicine, because he will be much happier if he saves his wife, even if he will have to serve a prison sentence.

Level 2 – Conventional Morality Stage 3: (conformity) He should steal the medicine because his wife expects it, he wants to be a good husband. Stage 3: (conformity) He should steal the medicine because his wife expects it, he wants to be a good husband. Stage 4: (law and order) He should not steal the medicine because the law prohibits stealing making it illegal. Stage 4: (law and order) He should not steal the medicine because the law prohibits stealing making it illegal.

Level 3 – Postconventional Morality Stage 5: (human rights) He should steal the medicine because everyone has a right to choose life, regardless of the law. Stage 5: (human rights) He should steal the medicine because everyone has a right to choose life, regardless of the law. Stage 6: (universal human ethics) He should steal the medicine because saving a human life is more fundamental value than the property rights of another person. Stage 6: (universal human ethics) He should steal the medicine because saving a human life is more fundamental value than the property rights of another person.