Kohlberg's Theory of Moral Development Explained!

Summary

In this video, Brian Collin discusses Lawrence Kohlberg's theory of moral development, using the famous moral dilemma of Heinz stealing medication to save his wife, Clara. Kohlberg's longitudinal research identified three levels of moral reasoning: preconventional, conventional, and postconventional, each with two stages. The video also touches on Carol Gilligan's critique regarding gender bias in moral reasoning and the relationship between education and moral judgment development. Ultimately, it emphasizes the importance of understanding these moral stages for personal growth and offers resources for studying, including creating practice tests.

Takeaways

• 😀 Lawrence Kohlberg developed a theory of moral development based on hypothetical moral dilemmas.
• 😀 One of Kohlberg's famous dilemmas involves Heinz, who must decide whether to steal medication to save his wife Clara.
• 😀 Kohlberg's research utilized longitudinal studies to observe changes in moral reasoning as individuals aged.
• 😀 The theory consists of three levels: preconventional, conventional, and post-conventional, with six stages of moral reasoning.
• 😀 In the preconventional level, moral reasoning is based on avoiding punishment or seeking personal gain.
• 😀 The conventional level emphasizes adherence to societal norms and rules, focusing on what is considered 'good' behavior.
• 😀 The post-conventional level involves abstract reasoning and ethical principles, prioritizing human life and social contracts.
• 😀 Carol Gilligan critiqued Kohlberg's theory for being biased against females, suggesting that women may prioritize care-based morality.
• 😀 Research indicated that education level is the strongest predictor of moral judgment development.
• 😀 The Defining Issues Test, developed by one of Kohlberg's students, provides a widely accepted method for assessing moral judgment.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the video?

The main topic of the video is Lawrence Kohlberg's theory of moral development.

What hypothetical dilemma does the video present?

The video presents the dilemma of Heinz, whose wife Clara needs an expensive medication that he cannot afford, leading him to consider stealing it.

What are the three levels of Kohlberg's moral development theory?

The three levels are: 1) Preconventional Level, 2) Conventional Level, and 3) Postconventional Level.

What characterizes Stage 1 of the preconventional level?

Stage 1, known as the 'avoid punishment' stage, is characterized by reasoning based on avoiding consequences, such as jail.

How does someone in Stage 3 of the conventional level justify their actions?

In Stage 3, individuals justify their actions based on social norms and expectations, such as wanting to be seen as a good person.

What criticism did Carol Gilligan raise against Kohlberg's theory?

Carol Gilligan criticized Kohlberg's theory as being biased against females, suggesting that it overlooks a care-oriented moral perspective.

What is Stage 5 of the postconventional level about?

Stage 5, defined by social contract, involves understanding that laws and personal rights must be balanced, leading to reasoning that may justify stealing to save a life.

What does Stage 6 represent in Kohlberg's theory?

Stage 6 represents the ethical principle level, where decisions are made based on universal ethical principles, such as prioritizing the saving of lives.

What relationship did research find between education level and moral judgment?

Research found that higher education levels are associated with higher scores in moral judgment development tests.

How does the video suggest improving one's understanding of moral development?

The video suggests that practice tests can enhance understanding and preparation for assessments related to moral development.