Kohlberg's Theory of Moral Development Applied in "The Yellow Wallpaper

1. Warm-Up 10/24: • You are the sole provider for your family. They are starving, and you have no money. You know of a place where you can steal bread, and you also know that you probably won’t get caught. Do you do it? Explain

2. Learning Targets • To discuss Kohlberg’s Theory of Moral Development. • To apply Kohlberg’s theory to the characters in “The Yellow Wallpaper.”

3. Kohlberg’s Theory of Moral Development http://psychology.about.com/od/developmentalpsychology/a/kohlberg.htm

4. Level 1 - Preconventional Morality • As these stages are preconventional, they are the basis for more advanced stages of morality. That being said, smaller children typically can be noted as functioning at these stages (though some adults still operate at these stages). The stages included in this level are one and two.

5. Stage 1 - Obedience and Punishment • The earliest stage of moral development is especially common in young children, but adults are capable of expressing this type of reasoning. At this stage, children see rules as fixed and absolute. Obeying the rules is important because it is a means to avoid punishment.

6. Stage 2 - Individualism and Exchange • At this stage, children account for individual points of view and judge actions based on how they serve individual needs. Reciprocity is possible, but only if it serves one's own selfish interests.

7. Level 2 – Conventional Morality • Most people’s moral development ends at some stage in this level (approx. 80%). The stages included in this level are three and four.

8. Stage 3 - Interpersonal Relationships • Often referred to as the "good boy-good girl" orientation, this stage is focused on living up to social expectations and roles. There is an emphasis on conformity, being "nice," and consideration of how choices influence relationships.

9. Stage 4 - Maintaining Social Order • At this stage of moral development, people begin to consider society as a whole when making judgments. The focus is on maintaining law and order by following the rules, doing one’s duty, and respecting authority.

10. Level 3 - Postconventional Morality • These stages are the most advanced. It is estimated that roughly 10% of the population will ever advance to either of the stages (five and six) in level three.

11. Stage 5 - Social Contract and Individual Rights • At this stage, people begin to account for the differing values, opinions, and beliefs of other people. Rules of law are important for maintaining a society, but people operating at stage five feel that members of the society should agree upon these standards.

12. Stage 6 - Universal Principles • Kohlberg’s final level of moral reasoning is based upon universal ethical principles and abstract reasoning. At this stage, people follow these internalized principles of justice, even if they conflict with laws and rules.

13. Activity: • List all the characters from “The Yellow Wallpaper.” • Identify each character’s most important action thus far. For Jane, pick three actions (beginning, middle, and end of story). • Work with two other students to determine at which stage of development each character is functioning.

14. Homework: • Answer this question: how did the activity of learning about Kohlberg’s theory of moral development and then applying it to the literature help you to better understand the story? Write 1-3 sentences.