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Moral Development

Moral Development. Moral Development . What is it? Changes in the child’s: Ability to distinguish right from wrong The ability to act on this distinction. Components of Morality. Moral Affect Emotional component- motivation Positive outcome (pride)

jerry-ellison
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Moral Development

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  1. Moral Development

  2. Moral Development • What is it? • Changes in the child’s: • Ability to distinguish right from wrong • The ability to act on this distinction

  3. Components of Morality • Moral Affect • Emotional component- motivation • Positive outcome (pride) • Negative outcome (guilt, shame, embarrassment)

  4. Components of Morality (cont.) • Moral Reasoning (cognition) • Thought processes used for decisions • ↑ age, ↑ thoughts of right/wrong • Cog Dev Resist temptation

  5. Components of Morality (cont) • Moral Behavior • Behaving consistently with beliefs • Gradual cookie from Jar? • Influenced by: • Right/wrong • Practicing inhibition of neg. impulses

  6. Theories of Moral Development • Evolutionary/Biological • Benefits of pro-social & altruistic behavior • Piagetian Cog-Dev approach • Cog dev. Is the foundation of moral dev • Cog growth + social exp. = moral development • Both help understand rules, laws, & obligations

  7. Piagetian stages • Cookie jar and cups • Premoral (3-4 yrs) • Little awareness of rules/make up own • Inconsistent response • Heteronomous (5-10 yrs) • Moral absolutes- Strong respect for rules (parents, God, Law) • Consequences stronger than intent (15 cups is naughtier) • Punishment- spanking/go to room (not pay for cups) • E.g. Speeding with a 6 year old?

  8. Piagetian stages • Autonomous (10-11 yrs)-moral dev complete • Social rules are more arbitrary • Attempted cookie theft is naughtier –due to intent • Reciprocal judgment- punishment fits crime • The “golden rule” • Clean up mess or no cookies for a week.

  9. Kohlberg’s Theory (1963) • Refinement of Piaget • Cognitive development not enough • Exposure to moral conflicts (grey areas)

  10. Heinz Dilemma In Europe, a woman was near death (cancer). One drug might save her life, but it was rare, and hard to obtain. A local pharmacist had the drug (which cost $200 to produce) and was selling it for $2000 for a dose that might save the woman’s life. Her husband was able to scrounge $1000 by borrowing from friends, but could not scrape up rest of the money. The druggist refused to sell the husband the drug at that price, or to accept a payment plan. The husband then broke into the drug store and stole the medicine. • SHOULD THE HUSBAND HAVE DONE THAT? • WHY?/WHY NOT?

  11. Kohlberg’s Theory • Rationale for answers • Self-serving (pro-theft) • Obedience (anti-theft)

  12. Kohlberg’s Theory • Level 1- Pre-conventional • Rules external to self (have to follow them) • What is right is what I can get away with or what satisfies me • Stage 1- Punishment and obedience- It’s wrong because I’ll get punished • Morality is based on consequence • Obey mostly to avoid punishment • Stage 2- Rewards- It’s wrong if I get caught • Conforms to gain reward • “It’s Heinz’s life he’s risking, he can do it if he wants” • “He’ll probably get caught, so it’s too much risk” • Altruism (due to benefits- what’s in it for me)

  13. Kohlberg’s Theory • Level 2- Conventional • Goal is to obey rules- for approval or “because you’re supposed to”- Promotes societal order • Stage 3- Good boy/good girl- It’s wrong when others disapprove • Goal is to be thought of as a good person • Basis is person’s intent • Stage 4- Maintenance of social order- “It’s wrong because it’s illegal” • Everyone is equal • Right is determined by legal authority • Rules & laws are good things (to keep public order)

  14. Kohlberg’s Theory • Post-conventional • Right/wrong based on broader/abstract terms (principles of justice) • Morally right ≠ legally right • Stage 5- Social contract- “It’s wrong because the majority dictate it to be”- Our government • Laws may be bad • Social contracts if represent the will of the majority • Stage 6- Individual but universal ethical principles- “it’s wrong because it is detrimental to people”- MLK • Right/wrong based on self-chosen values • Universal justice- Equal consideration for all • Heinz example

  15. What Influences Moral Development? • IQ • Social Dev (empathy, thinking of others?) • Parenting style (emphasizes personal responsibility) • Sibling behavior (models) • Religion • Culture • Personality (impulsiveness, open-mindedness) • Peers (need for approval)

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