Kohlberg (1968): The child as a moral philosopher

Summary

In this video, we explore Kohlberg's 1968 theory of moral development, which posits a six-stage sequence in an individual's moral growth. Kohlberg's research, inspired by Piaget, uses longitudinal studies with moral dilemmas to track moral reasoning in boys over 12 years. The study, including cross-cultural elements with participants from the US, Great Britain, Canada, Taiwan, Mexico, and Turkey, suggests a universal sequence of stages, though the rate of moral development varies across cultures and social classes.

Takeaways

• 🔬 Kohlberg's theory focuses on the cognitive development of morality in children, proposing a six-stage model of moral reasoning.
• 🌟 The theory suggests that moral thinking evolves as children age, with stages reflecting a progression from self-interest to universal ethical principles.
• 🌐 Kohlberg's research included cross-cultural studies, indicating a universal sequence of moral development across different societies.
• 👦 The longitudinal study involved 75 American boys, observed from ages 10 to 16 and followed up to ages 22 to 28.
• 📚 Hypothetical moral dilemmas were used to assess moral reasoning, with scenarios designed to provoke philosophical considerations.
• 🏆 Kohlberg's stages range from obedience to avoid punishment (Stage 1) to moral actions based on universal ethical principles (Stage 6).
• 📈 The study found that participants generally progressed through the stages with age, but not all reached the highest stage.
• 🌍 Cross-cultural findings showed a consistent order of stage usage, with some variation in the pace of development among different cultural groups.
• 🏛️ Middle-class children were found to develop moral judgment more quickly and reach higher stages compared to their working-class counterparts.
• 🔑 The research supports the idea that moral development is a gradual process, influenced by social interactions and cognitive growth rather than fixed personality traits.

Q & A

What is the main focus of Kohlberg's 1968 study on moral development?

Kohlberg's 1968 study focuses on the child as a moral philosopher, exploring the cognitive background of moral development and the stages through which moral thinking changes as a child matures.

Who inspired Kohlberg's approach to moral development?

Kohlberg was inspired by Jean Piaget's structural approach to moral development, which aimed to understand moral development as a gradual process rather than linking it to personality traits.

What was the research method used by Kohlberg in his study?

Kohlberg used a longitudinal study method, following the development of the same group of boys for 12 years by presenting them with hypothetical moral dilemmas.

What was the sample size and demographic for Kohlberg's initial study?

The sample consisted of 75 American boys who were aged 10 to 16 at the start of the study.

How did Kohlberg determine the stage of moral reasoning for each participant?

Kohlberg determined the stage of moral reasoning by presenting participants with hypothetical moral dilemmas in the form of short stories and assessing their responses.

What cross-cultural element was included in Kohlberg's study?

Kohlberg included a cross-cultural element by studying moral development in boys from different cultures, including Great Britain, Canada, Taiwan, Mexico, and Turkey.

What were the key findings regarding the motive given for rule obedience or moral action?

The key findings showed that participants' reasoning progressed through six distinct stages, with each stage demonstrating a different motive for rule obedience or moral action.

How does Kohlberg's theory suggest moral development progresses?

Kohlberg's theory suggests that moral development progresses through six stages, with individuals moving through these stages one at a time and always in the same order.

What was the conclusion regarding the universality of moral development stages across cultures?

Kohlberg concluded that there is a cross-cultural universality in the sequence of stages of moral development, with middle-class children generally moving faster and further through the stages than working-class children.

What did Kohlberg's study find about the influence of social, cultural, or religious conditions on moral development?

Kohlberg's study found that the six-stage theory of moral development is not significantly affected by social, cultural, or religious conditions, although these factors can influence the rate at which individuals progress through the stages.