Kohlberg's "The Child as Moral Philosopher"

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Example exam questions:

Describe the methodology and procedures [of the study] (10 marks)

Describe the findings + conclusions [of the study] (10 marks)

Evaluate the methodology [of the study] (10 marks)

"Kohlberg investigated the development of moral reasoning in children..."

"In Kohlbergs study of development of moral reasoning of children he found that ...."

"As a result of this, Kohlberg was able to conclude that .."

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Methodology

Longitudinal study over a period of 40 years

Collected qualitative data through interviews

Made cross-culture comparisons

Study involved 75 American Boys

Asked between the ages of 10 - 16 years and then again between 22 - 28 years

Used the same proceedure in multiple countries including GB

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Procedure

9 hypothetical moral dilemmas

Heinz Dilemma - Mans wife has cancer, steals drug from pharmacist

The dilemmas were discussed, prompted with 10+ open questions

Answers analysed and common themes developed

Re interviewed participants every 3 years

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Findings:

3 Levels of Morality, each with two distinct stages in each

Stages are moved through at various speeds, people may stop at any stage but no stages are skipped

Younger children are typically at the preconventional level and progress through as they grow up

Benefit of moral conversations

Similarities between other cultures

Preconventional Level

Well behaved

Accept rules

Actions are judged by their consequences

Decisions fulfill their needs

Conventional Level

Still conforming to rules but for social approval

Post-conventional Level

Autonomous moral principles

Laws are more flexible and relative

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Conclusions:

Everyone goes through the same stages

Each stage is better cognitively organised than the stage before it

People who engage in moral conversation are encouraged to move up to higher levels of thinking

"The man who understands justice is more likely to practice it"