Applying Kohlberg’s Theory of Moral Development

1. Applying Kohlberg’s Theory of Moral Development Biracial marriage & Kohlberg’s theory of moral development

2. Developing Morality Kohlberg (1981, 1984) sought to describe the development of moral reasoning by posing moral dilemmas to children and adolescents, such as “Should a person steal medicine to save a loved one’s life?” He found stages of moral development. AP Photo/ Dave Martin

3. 3 Basic Levels of Moral Thinking • Preconventional Morality: Before age 9, children show morality to avoid punishment or gain reward. • Conventional Morality: By early adolescence, social rules and laws are upheld for their own sake. • Postconventional Morality: Affirms people’s agreed-upon rights or follows personally perceived ethical principles.

4. Mark believes that choosing to violate government laws is morally justifiable if it is done to protect the lives of innocent people. Kohlberg would suggest that this illustrates _____________ morality. • A. conventional • B. unconventional • C. preconventional • D. postconventional

5. Jarrud thinks he should obey his teachers only if they are carefully watching him. Kohlberg would suggest that Jarrud demonstrates a(n) ________ morality. • A. conventional • B. unconventional • C. preconventional • D. postconventional

6. According to Kohlberg, the majority of children younger than age 9 have a __________________ of self-interest. • A. conventional morality • B. preconventional morality • C. postconventional morality • D. pseudo morality

7. Morality As our thinking matures, so does our behavior in that we become less selfish and more caring. People who engage in doing the right thing develop empathy for others and the self-discipline to resist their own impulses.

8. Pretend that it is 1966, back when it was a felony in some states for two people of different races (typically white and black) to marry. 1966 was one year before the Supreme Court ended all race-based legal restrictions on marriage in the United States. You are conducting a phone poll in one of the states where it is a crime for biracial couples to marry. Your phone poll question: Is it okay for a biracial couple to get married? • You contact 3 people – • One who is in the preconventional stage of morality, • One who is in the conventional stage of morality, • One who is in the postconventional stage of morality. How will each of them respond to the question? Remember - it isn't about "yes" or "no" but about the person's reasoning. Don't focus on whether you agree or disagree with what the person might say - just focus on how they'd respond.