Discuss the theories of moral development.

i)JEAN PIAGET’S THEORY OF MORAL DEVELOPMENT

Jean piaget was a swiss psychologist who proposed the theory of moral development in the 1930’s. The theory was based on stages that children pass through at certain approximate ages. He concluded that the moral development in children is related to their intellectual development. He suggested the following stages

The stage of Egocentricity (pre-moral judgment)

This is the first stage of moral development in children. It lasts from birth to about 2yrs of age. In this stage, children do not simply understand the concept of rules and the idea of morality. They see themselves as right and want to be favored in all circumstances e.g when playing with other children, they refuse to give back toys that don’t belong to them

Moral Realism (2-10yrs)

In this stage, children develop the first concepts of right and wrong based entirely on what his/her parents permit and forbid. They show great concern and respect to rules, resulting from commands handed down by authority figures. Children obey rules largely because they are told to do so. This type of morality is called heteronymous morality i.e morality that is subject to external controls. Children evaluate wrong doing in terms of its consequences but not intentions of the wrong doer. At this time, they begin to realize that some offences are punishable. They therefore work towards doing what is right to avoid punishment.

The stage of Moral Relativism. (10 yrs and above)

It’s also called the stage of autonomous morality or morality of cooperation. It promotes decline of egocentrism. It comes about as a result of cognitive development and interaction with peers. The child knows that laws and rules are relative and they are made by people to facilitate harmony and successful interaction. This means that the laws and rules can be changed subject to circumstances. Children get concerned about the welfare of others. They develop a firm concept of the necessity that punishment should fit the crime.

ii)LAWRENCE KOHLBERG’S THEORY OF MORAL DEVELOPMENT

Kohlberg studied moral reasoning and presented the dilemma that people go through when faced with situations that require moral judgments. He defined moral reasoning as the development of an individual’s sense of justice. He believed that it is moral reasoning that determines the stage of development that one is in. Kohlberg came up with three levels of moral development comprising six stages.

The levels are:
-Pre-conventional level

- Conventional level

-Post conventional level Level I:

Pre-conventional (2-7 years) Children at this level make decisions based on reward and punishment. They are concerned with the satisfaction of their own needs. Pre-conventional children may reflect egocentrism assuming that everyone else sees things the way they do. This level is divided into 2 stages as follows: Stage 1: Punishment and obedience orientation In this stage, children have not internalized moral values. They only obey rules and stick to morals to avoid punishment. They obey adults because they are told to do so. For example, a child may say one should not steal because he or she will be punished by the parents or the parents forbid stealing. They belief right is rewarded and wrong is punished. Morality practiced here is hedonistic (self love). It is morality of fear. Stage 2: Instrumental relativist orientation/Naive relativist orientation. At this stage children start realizing that they have to please others in order to please themselves. Their moral thinking is based on rewards and self interest. They obey in order to get rewards. Without rewards or incentives, they do not obey because they don’t see the benefits. Children at this stage feel that good act is sold for a price. It is important for them to resolve peer conflicts to allow them share their rewards.

Level II: Conventional moral reasoning (10- 18 years)

At this stage children start to consider the social standards of the society which reflects what is right and wrong. Here, children are mature enough to obey rules and standards of the community/school. Their behavior is not to avoid punishment or receive rewards but they realize that rules are theirs and not for other people. Stage 3: Good boy/Nice girl orientation Children at this stage want to do good to help and to please others. They want to be approved by others. They feel that one should do what he or she would want others to do to him or her. For example, they may say it is wrong to steal if you do not want your property to be stolen. pre adolescents and adolescents adopt parents and teachers moral standards in order to be thought of as good girl or good boy.

Stage 4: Law and order orientation People at this stage conform to societal rules by considering what is right or wrong according to society. Moral judgment is based on social order, justice and law of the society. This stage concedes with Adolescence. The adolescence observes established order. They conform to rules and take law as fixed eg secondary school and college students.

Level 3: Post conventional stage.

This is the highest level of kohlberg’s theory. At this level every member understands the reason for being moral. Therefore morality at this level is internalized and not based on other people’s ethical standards of behavior. People know the importance of upholding moral values.

Stage 5: Legalistic orientation/morality is contract At this stage,

people perceive that moral laws and values can be modified. These stage concedes with young adulthood. The young adult believes that there should be flexibility in moral beliefs that makes it possible to modify and change moral standards. The young adult operates from a contractional moral orientation e.g one can enter a contract with a fiancée which can be renewed or not after the contract period. The contract defines how one will behave and the consequences of failing to meet the terms of contract.

Stage 6: Universal Ethical principles

People at this stage conform to both standards and to internalized ideals to avoid self condemnation rather than to avoid social census. This morality is based on self respect and respect for others rather than on personal desires. The decisions of an individual are based on his conscience and the belief in universal principles of respect, justice and equality. An individual thinks right regardless of legal restrictions or the opinion of others.

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marto answered the question on April 23, 2019 at 11:48