Kohlberg's Theory of Moral Development
Running head: LESSON 12 ESSAY
Lesson 12 Essay
Bill King
Rio Salado College
Developmental Psychology
240
Mr. McElfresh
August 08, 2008
Lesson 12 Essay Level One: Preconventional Moral Reasoning
Level One of Kohlberg’s theory of moral reasoning is called Preconventional Moral Reasoning. It is called “preconventional” because people at this stage are not able to understand the social mores and rules of good and bad or right and wrong in their particular society. The preconventional level is characterized by behavior which is motivated by egocentrism, and manifested with the anticipation of pleasure or the avoidance of pain. At this level the individual’s moral judgments are concerned with the “self”. “Will I get into trouble for doing (or not doing) it”? Good behavior is associated with avoiding punishment. Typically, “preconventional thinking” occurs as children reach elementary school age. The Preconventional Level includes Stage One, and Stage Two. Stage One includes a “punishment and obedience orientation”, and Stage Two, the “instrumental – relativist orientation”.
In Stage One morality is as simple as obeying rules because of the negative consequences of disobeying them (might makes right). Avoiding punishment through obedience to those in authority is most important. At this stage the perception of rules are fixed and absolute. This obedience however, is void of any ethical value other than to avoid punishment. There are no underlying altruistic values associated with “good behavior”. Children in this stage do what is “right” (to avoid punishment) by what they learn from their authority figures, such as parents, school teachers, or other individuals they perceive to be in charge. Sarah is an eight year old girl who has been sexually molested. Because she perceives her assailant as a person in authority and threatened to punish her if she reported this crime, she is fearful of punishment, and
Lesson 12 Essay
Bill King
Rio Salado College
Developmental Psychology
240
Mr. McElfresh
August 08, 2008
Lesson 12 Essay Level One: Preconventional Moral Reasoning
Level One of Kohlberg’s theory of moral reasoning is called Preconventional Moral Reasoning. It is called “preconventional” because people at this stage are not able to understand the social mores and rules of good and bad or right and wrong in their particular society. The preconventional level is characterized by behavior which is motivated by egocentrism, and manifested with the anticipation of pleasure or the avoidance of pain. At this level the individual’s moral judgments are concerned with the “self”. “Will I get into trouble for doing (or not doing) it”? Good behavior is associated with avoiding punishment. Typically, “preconventional thinking” occurs as children reach elementary school age. The Preconventional Level includes Stage One, and Stage Two. Stage One includes a “punishment and obedience orientation”, and Stage Two, the “instrumental – relativist orientation”.
In Stage One morality is as simple as obeying rules because of the negative consequences of disobeying them (might makes right). Avoiding punishment through obedience to those in authority is most important. At this stage the perception of rules are fixed and absolute. This obedience however, is void of any ethical value other than to avoid punishment. There are no underlying altruistic values associated with “good behavior”. Children in this stage do what is “right” (to avoid punishment) by what they learn from their authority figures, such as parents, school teachers, or other individuals they perceive to be in charge. Sarah is an eight year old girl who has been sexually molested. Because she perceives her assailant as a person in authority and threatened to punish her if she reported this crime, she is fearful of punishment, and
References: Arnold, M. (2000). Stage, sequence, and sequels: changing conceptions of morality, post-kohlberg. . Educational psychology review, 12(4), 365-383. Dawson , T. (2002). New tools, new insights: kohlberg 's moral judgment stages revisited. International journal of behavioral development, 26(2), 154-166. Green, M. (1989). Theories of human development A comparative approach (1 ed.). Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey: Prentice Hall, Jorgensen, G. (2006, June). Kohlberg and Gilligan: duet or duel ? Journal of Moral Education, 35(2), 179-196. Nugent, F. (2000). Introduction to the profession of counseling. (3rd ed.). New Jersey: Prentice Hall, Westin, D. (1985). Narcissism, collectivism, and the development of morals (1st ed.). New York: Cambridge University Press.