Kohlberg: Morals Study

Question 1

Aims

Answer 1

Aimed to investigate the development of moral reasoning in children in order to create a series of stages that could apply to all

Question 2

Methodology

Answer 2

Longitudinal study (12 years)

75 young American males interviewed every 3 years, these males were compared to those from the other countries

10-16 at start 22-28 by end

Compared males from US to Canada, UK, Mexico, Taiwan and Turkey, so the study is cross cultural

Question 3

Procedure

Answer 3

Presented each child with 9 moral dilemmas

One was Heinz dilemma (should he steal drug for his sick wife)

Changed for Taiwan to should he steal food

Type of semi-structured interview

Responses analysed and general themes identified, every 3 years their moral development was assessed

Question 4

Findings

Answer 4

Common themes were identified throughout all participants

3 stages: preconventional, conventional, postconventional

Pre stage 1: reward and punishment oriented

Pre stage 2: Right action decided on whether it will satisfy own needs

Conv stage 1: Conforms to stereotypical society

Conv stage 2: Respect for authority and maintenance of social order

Post conv 1: Runs on law and own personal view

Post conv 2: Ethical principles and universal principles of justice

Question 5

Cross cultural findings

Answer 5

Stages are universal, but differences in speed of progression

E.g. USA age 16 at conv 2 or post conv 1

Taiwan and Mexico still at conv 1 or pre conv 2

All middle class children progressed quicker than lower class in all cultures

Question 6

Conclusions

Answer 6

Some people may not reach the final stage

Stages are universal and invariant

Children at a lower level of development often move up a stage when confronted with a conflict from a child at a higher stage than them, but not the other way around

Question 7

Validity

Answer 7

Low eco validity, not based on real dilemmas, however valid as no psych harm

Culture bias as dilemmas were westernised, however did change for Taiwan but no others

Social desirability bias

Question 8

Sample

Answer 8

All male, no population validity + cant generalise
Critiques said that although women would develop at same stages, their reasoning would be different (focused on care not justice)
However andocentric research was common practice of the time

Question 9

Longitudinal research

Answer 9

Strength as establish trend over time which is essential for Kohlberg as he was developmental psych

However may have had attrition

Question 10

Ethics

Answer 10

Couldn’t give informed consent (10-16) However did he get consent by proxy?

Harm due to dilemmas causing stress