Kholbergs Stages
Strayer University
Danny Wright
CRJ
220
Professor Keith Smith
November 20, 2012
The concept of justice has three components- interpersonal adjudication, law based on fault and an emphasis on procedures. Interpersonal adjudication is based upon the rights and duties of the individual person. The law based on fault on concept is a liberal concept of justice that a person should not be disadvantaged or punished except for fault. The due process concept is the emphasis on procedures. The liberal does not believe in the possibility of achieving equality, democracy, justice, and the public good and other ideals through legislative and prescriptive action. Explain three (3) ways Kohlberg’s Stages of Moral Development can be applied to the evaluation of three (3) types of criminals who are at different stages of moral development? Obedience and Punishment-The earliest stage of moral development is especially common in young children, but adults are also capable of expressing this type of reasoning. At this stage, children see rules as fixed and absolute. Obeying the rules is important because it is a means to steer clear of punishment. The type of criminal I feel would fall into this step would be a serial killer. Serial killers have a certain structure in order to commit their crime. Maintaining Social Order- 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 following the rules, doing one’s duty and respecting authority. Crooked cops would fall into this category of criminals. I feel they follow the rules when it suits them and they break them when they can. Universal Principles- Kohlberg’s final level of moral reasoning is based upon universal ethical principles and abstract reasoning. At this stage, people follow these internalized principles of justice, even if they conflict with laws and rules. Vigilantes would be my type
Danny Wright
CRJ
220
Professor Keith Smith
November 20, 2012
The concept of justice has three components- interpersonal adjudication, law based on fault and an emphasis on procedures. Interpersonal adjudication is based upon the rights and duties of the individual person. The law based on fault on concept is a liberal concept of justice that a person should not be disadvantaged or punished except for fault. The due process concept is the emphasis on procedures. The liberal does not believe in the possibility of achieving equality, democracy, justice, and the public good and other ideals through legislative and prescriptive action. Explain three (3) ways Kohlberg’s Stages of Moral Development can be applied to the evaluation of three (3) types of criminals who are at different stages of moral development? Obedience and Punishment-The earliest stage of moral development is especially common in young children, but adults are also capable of expressing this type of reasoning. At this stage, children see rules as fixed and absolute. Obeying the rules is important because it is a means to steer clear of punishment. The type of criminal I feel would fall into this step would be a serial killer. Serial killers have a certain structure in order to commit their crime. Maintaining Social Order- 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 following the rules, doing one’s duty and respecting authority. Crooked cops would fall into this category of criminals. I feel they follow the rules when it suits them and they break them when they can. Universal Principles- Kohlberg’s final level of moral reasoning is based upon universal ethical principles and abstract reasoning. At this stage, people follow these internalized principles of justice, even if they conflict with laws and rules. Vigilantes would be my type
References: Williams, C. R. & Arrigo, B. A. (2012). Ethics crime and criminal justice (2nd ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall / Pearson. Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS). (n.d.). General format. General format. Retrieved from http://www.cops.usdoj.gov Office of Justice Programs. (n.d.). General format. Retrieved from http://www.crimesolutions.gov/