what research method did kohlberg use to develop his theory of moral development?

Verywell / Bailey Mariner

Kohlberg's theory of moral development is a theory that focuses on how children develop morality and moral reasoning. Kohlberg's theory suggests that moral development occurs in a serial of six stages. The theory also suggests that moral logic is primarily focused on seeking and maintaining justice.

What Is Moral Development?

How do people develop morality? This question has fascinated parents, religious leaders, and philosophers for ages, simply moral evolution has likewise go a hot-button issue in psychology and education. Do parental or societal influences play a greater role in moral development? Do all kids develop morality in similar ways?

American psychologist Lawrence Kohlberg developed i of the all-time-known theories exploring some of these bones questions. His piece of work modified and expanded upon Jean Piaget'southward previous piece of work only was more centered on explaining how children develop moral reasoning.

How did the two theories differ? Piaget described a two-stage process of moral development. Kohlberg extended Piaget's theory, proposing that moral development is a continual process that occurs throughout the lifespan. His theory outlines six stages of moral development within three different levels.

In recent years, Kohlberg'due south theory has been criticized as being Western-axial with a bias toward men (he primarily used male research subjects) and with having a narrow worldview based on upper-middle-course value systems and perspectives.

How Kohlberg Developed His Theory

Kohlberg based his theory on a series of moral dilemmas presented to his study subjects. Participants were also interviewed to determine the reasoning backside their judgments in each scenario.

One case was "Heinz Steals the Drug." In this scenario, a woman has cancer and her doctors believe only one drug might save her. This drug had been discovered by a local pharmacist and he was able to make it for $200 per dose and sell it for $two,000 per dose. The woman'south husband, Heinz, could just raise $one,000 to buy the drug.

He tried to negotiate with the chemist for a lower price or to be extended credit to pay for it over time. Just the pharmacist refused to sell it for any less or to have partial payments. Rebuffed, Heinz instead broke into the pharmacy and stole the drug to salvage his wife. Kohlberg asked, "Should the husband have done that?"

Kohlberg was not interested so much in the answer to whether Heinz was wrong or right but in the reasoning for each participant's decision. He then classified their reasoning into the stages of his theory of moral development.

Stages of Moral Evolution

Kohlberg'south theory is broken down into three principal levels. At each level of moral development, there are two stages. Similar to how Piaget believed that not all people accomplish the highest levels of cognitive development, Kohlberg believed not anybody progresses to the highest stages of moral development.

Level one. Preconventional Morality

Preconventional morality is the earliest menstruation of moral development. It lasts until around the age of 9. At this age, children's decisions are primarily shaped by the expectations of adults and the consequences for breaking the rules. There are two stages within this level:

• Stage one (Obedience and Punishment): The earliest stages of moral development, obedience and punishment are peculiarly common in young children, but adults are besides capable of expressing this type of reasoning. According to Kohlberg, people at this stage see rules as fixed and absolute. Obeying the rules is important considering it is a way to avoid punishment.
• Phase two (Individualism and Commutation): At the individualism and exchange stage of moral evolution, children account for individual points of view and guess actions based on how they serve individual needs. In the Heinz dilemma, children argued that the best course of activity was the option that best served Heinz's needs. Reciprocity is possible at this point in moral development, but but if it serves one's own interests.

Level ii. Conventional Morality

The next period of moral development is marked by the credence of social rules regarding what is skilful and moral. During this time, adolescents and adults internalize the moral standards they have learned from their office models and from society.

This period likewise focuses on the acceptance of authority and befitting to the norms of the group. There are ii stages at this level of morality:

• Phase 3 (Developing Good Interpersonal Relationships): Often referred to as the "good boy-good girl" orientation, this stage of the interpersonal relationship of moral evolution is focused on living up to social expectations and roles. At that place is an accent on conformity, being "nice," and consideration of how choices influence relationships.
• Stage iv (Maintaining Social Guild): This stage is focused on ensuring that social gild is maintained. 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 post-obit the rules, doing i's duty, and respecting authority.

Level 3. Postconventional Morality

At this level of moral development, people develop an understanding of abstruse principles of morality. The ii stages at this level are:

• Phase five (Social Contract and Individual Rights): The ideas of a social contract and private rights crusade people in the next stage to begin to account for the differing values, opinions, and beliefs of other people. Rules of law are important for maintaining a society, but members of the society should agree upon these standards.
• Stage half dozen (Universal Principles): Kohlberg's final level of moral reasoning is based on universal ethical principles and abstract reasoning. At this stage, people follow these internalized principles of justice, fifty-fifty if they conflict with laws and rules.

Kohlberg believed that merely a relatively small pct of people always reach the mail-conventional stages (effectually x to fifteen%). I assay found that while stages ane to four could be seen as universal in populations throughout the world, the 5th and sixth stages were extremely rare in all populations.

Criticisms

Kohlberg'south theory played an important role in the development of moral psychology. While the theory has been highly influential, aspects of the theory have been critiqued for a number of reasons:

• Moral reasoning does not equal moral behavior: Kohlberg's theory is concerned with moral thinking, but there is a big difference betwixt knowing what we ought to do versus our actual deportment. Moral reasoning, therefore, may not lead to moral behavior.
• Overemphasizes justice: Critics accept pointed out that Kohlberg'southward theory of moral evolution overemphasizes the concept of justice when making moral choices. Factors such every bit compassion, caring, and other interpersonal feelings may play an important role in moral reasoning.
• Cultural bias: Individualist cultures emphasize personal rights, while collectivist cultures stress the importance of social club and customs. Eastern, collectivist cultures may have dissimilar moral outlooks that Kohlberg'southward theory does not take into account.
• Historic period bias: Nearly of his subjects were children under the historic period of 16 who obviously had no experience with marriage. The Heinz dilemma may take been too abstract for these children to sympathize, and a scenario more than applicative to their everyday concerns might take led to unlike results.
• Gender bias: Kohlberg's critics, including Carol Gilligan, accept suggested that Kohlberg's theory was gender-biased since all of the subjects in his sample were male person. Kohlberg believed that women tended to remain at the third level of moral development because they identify a stronger emphasis on things such every bit social relationships and the welfare of others.

Gilligan instead suggested that Kohlberg'south theory overemphasizes concepts such as justice and does not adequately address moral reasoning founded on the principles and ethics of caring and concern for others.

A Word From Verywell

While Kohlberg'due south theory of moral development has been criticized, the theory played an important part in the emergence of the field of moral psychology. Researchers continue to explore how moral reasoning develops and changes through life equally well as the universality of these stages. Agreement these stages offers helpful insights into the ways that both children and adults make moral choices and how moral thinking may influence decisions and behaviors.

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Source: https://www.verywellmind.com/kohlbergs-theory-of-moral-development-2795071

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