wiicn parents nave the power and Children do nOt, are 1ess Ikely TO adVance moral

reasoning, because rules are often handed down in an authoritarian way.

Exploring Moral Development Kohlberg's Theory Like Piaget, Lawrence Kohlberg (1958, 1976, 1986) Stressed that moral reasoning unfolds in stages. The stages, Kohlberg believed, are

universal. Children, adolescents, and adults construct their moral thoughts as they

pass from one stage to the next.

Kohlberg arrived at his view after 20 years of using a unique interview with

Chidren. In the interview, children are presented with a series of stories in which

Characters face moral dilemmas. Here is the mosi popular Kohlberg dilemma:

heteronomous morality (Piaget) The first stage of moral development in Piaget's theory. Occurring at 4 to 7 years of age. Justice and rules are conceived oi as unchangeable proper- ties of the world, removed from the control of

people.

in Europe a woman was near death from a special kind of cancer. There was one drug

that the doctors 1hought mighi save her. II was a form of radiun that a druggist in the

Same 1own had recently discovered. The drug was expensive to make, but the druggist

Was charging ten times what the drug cost him to make. He paid $200 for the radium

and charged $2,000 for a small dose of the drug. The sick woman's husbad, Heinz,

autonomous morality The second stage ot moral development in Piaget's theory, dis- played by older children (about 10 years of age and older), The child becomes aware that rules and laws are created by people and that, in

judging an action, one should consider the ac-

tor's intentions as well as the consequences. Wenn to everyone he knew to borrow the money, but he COuld only get together

1,000, which is half of what it cost. He told the druggist ihat his wile was dying and

3sKed him to sell it cheaper or let him pay later. But the druggist said, "No, I discov-

ered the drug, andI am going to make money irom it." So Hemz gol desperate and

Droke into the man's store 1o sieal the drug for bis wile. (Kohlberg, 1969, p. 379)

inumanent justice Piaget's concept that it a

Fule is broken, punishment will be meted out

immediately.

478 Chapter 13 Moral Development. Valtues, and Religion

Level 1 Level 2 Preconventional level

No infernalization

Conventional level

Intermediate internalization

Stage 5 Social contract or utility and individual rights

Individuals reason that values, rights and principles undergird or transcénd

Stage 3 Stage Heteronomous moraliy

Children obey because adults tell them to obey People base theit nmor decisions on fear of punisament

Mutual interpersonal expectations, relationships,

and interpersonal.conformity

individuals value trust, caring, and loyalty to others as a basis for moral

judgments.

the law.

Stage 6

Individualism. purpose and axchange

ndividua/s pursue their own interests but let others do the same. What is right involves equal exchange.

Universal ethical principles The person has developed moral judgments that are based on universal human rights. When faced with a dilemma between law and conscience, a personal, individualized conscience is followed.

Stage 4 Social systems morality

Moral judgments sre based on

understanding of the social order, law, justice, and duty.

FIGURE 13.1 Kohlberg's Three Levels and Six Stages of Moral Development

This story is one of 11 that Kohlberg devised to investigate the nature of moral thought. After reading the story, the interviewee answers a series of questions about the moral dilemma. Should Heinz have stolen the drug? Was stealing it right or wrong? Why? Is it a husband's duty to steal the drug for his wife if he can get it no other way? Would a good husband steal? Did the druggist have the right to charge that much when there was no law setting a limit on the price? Why or why not?

preconventional reasoning The lowest level in Kohlberg's theory of moral developmen. The individual's moral reasoning is controlled primarily by external rewards and punishment

The Kohlberg Stages From the answers interviewees gave for this and other moral

dilemmas, Kohlberg hypothesized three levels of moral thinking, each of which is characterized by two stages (see figure 13.1).

Preconventional reasoning is the lowest level of moral reasoning, said Kohlberg. At this ;level, good and bad are interpreted in terms of external rewaras and punishments.

Stage 1. Heteronomous morality is the first stage in preconventional reasou ing. At this stage, moral thinking is tied to punishment. For example. cniarca think that they must obey because they fear punishment for disobedience. Stage 2. Individualism, instrumental purpose, and exchange is ne

Ond stage of preconventional reasoning. At this stage, individuals reasou u it is okay to pursue one's own interests but let others do the same. i they think that what is right involves an equal exchange. People reasu if they are nice to others, others will be nice to them in return.

heteronomous morality (Kohiberg Kohlberg's first stage of preconyentíonal reasoning, in which moral thinking is tied to punishment individualism, instrumental purpose, and exchange The second Kohlberg stage of moral development. At thís stage, individuals pursue their own interests but also let others do the that

sane.

Conventional reasoning is the second, or intermediate, level m hlberg's conventional reasoning The second, or nter mediate, level in Kohlberg's theory of moral development, At this level, individuals abide by certain standards but they are the standards of others such as parents or the laws of society.

theory of moral development. At this level, individuals abide by certain the (internal), but.they are the standards of others (external), such as parc laws of society. ents

mutual interpersonal expectations, relationships, and interpersonal conformity Kohlberg's third stage of moral development. AL this stage, individuals value irust, caring and loyalty 1o others as a basis of moral judgmenis.

Stage 3, Mutual interpersonal expectations, relationships, and in sonal conformity is Kohlberg's third stage of moral developne moral stage, individuals value trust, caring, and loyalty to others as a Das judgments. Children and adolescents often adopt their parents girl dards at this stage, seeking to be thought of by their parents as d or a "good boy."

this

slan-

Domains of Maral Development 479

Examples of moral reasoning that support Heinz's theft of the drug

Examples of moral reasoning that indicate that Heinz should not steal the drug

Stage description

recon

Stage 1: Heteronomous morality Heinz should not let his wife die; if he does, he will be in big trouble.

Heinz might get caught and sent to jail.

Stage 2: Individualism, purpose, and exchange

If Heinz gets caught, he could give the drug back and maybe they would not give him a long jail sentence.

The druggist is a businessman and needs to

make money.

Stage 3: Mutual interpersonal

expectations, relationships, and interpersonal conformity

Heinz was only doing something thata good husband would d0; it shows how much he loves his wife.

If his wife dies, he can't be blamed for it; it is the druggist's fault. The druggist is the selfish one.

Stage 4: Social systems morality It isn't morally wrong for Heinz to steal the drug in this case because the law is not designed to take into account every particular case or anticipate every circumstance.

Heinz should obey the law because laws serve to protect the productive and orderly functioning of society.

Stage 5: Social contract or utility and individual rights

It is important to bey the law because laws represent a necessary structure of common agreement if individuals are to live together in

sOciety.

Heinz was justified in stealing the drug because a human life was at stake and that transcenddsany right the druggist had to the drug.

Human life is sacred because of the universal principle of respect for the individual and it takes precedence over other values.

Heinz needs to decide whether or not to consider the other people who need the drug as badly as his wife does. He ought not to act based on his particular feelings for his wife, but consider the value of all the lives involved.

Stage 6: Universal ethical principles

FIGURE 13.2 Moral Reasoning at Kohlberg's Stages in Response to the "Heinz and the

Druggist Story

Stage 4. Social systems morality is the fourth stage in Kohlberg's theory of

moral development. At this stage, moral judgments are based on understanding

the social order, law, justice, and duty. For example, adolescents may reason

that in order for a community to work eifectively, it needs to be protected by

laws that are adhered to by its members.

Postconventional reasoning is the highest level in Kohlberg's theory of moral

development. At this level, the individual recognizes alternative moral courses.

explores the options, and then decides on a personal moral code.

social systems morality The tourth sage tn

Kohlberg's theory ot moral development. Moral judgmenis are based om understandirg

the social order, law, justice, and duty

postconventional reasöning The highest level in Kohiberg's theory ol moral develup- ment. At this level, the individual recognizes

alternative moral courses, explores the

options, and then decides on a personaB moral

Stage 5. Social contract or utility and individual rights is the fifth

Kohlberg stage. At this stage, individuals reason that values, rights, and

principles undergird or transcend the law. A person evaluates the validity oft

actual laws, and social systems can be examined in terms of the degree to

which they preserve and protect fundamental human righ1s and values.

Stage 6. Universal ethical principles is the sixth and highest stage in

Kohlberg's theory of moral development. At this stage, the person has devel

oped a moral standard based on universal human righis. When faced with a

conflict between law and conscience, the person will follow conscience, even

code.

social contract or utility and individual rights The ifth Kohlberg stage. At this slage. individuals reason that values, righis, and principles undergird or transcend the law.

universal ethical principles The sixth and highest stage in Kohlberg's theory of moral

development. ndividuais devclop a moral1 standard based on universal human rights.

though the decision might involve personal risk.

To further help you understand the Kohlberg stages, figure 13.2 provides examples

of responses to the "Heinz and the druggist" dilemma flor each stage.