Moral Development

Definition of Moral Development

It can feel like nothing brings people together or divides them like moral or ethical values. Our personal sense of ethics and morality is part of the core of who we are as individuals and serves as a compass for our behavior. We come together with friends and family based on shared values and beliefs. Sadly, we are often driven apart by these same beliefs. How does this moral part of being human develop over time?

Fig. 1 Morality, pixabay.com

Before we dive into moral development, it is important to remember that morals are different from religious values and ethics. Religious values are the principles we live by that are based on our religious tradition. Our ethical values are the principles we live by in taking action on behalf of ourselves or others. Ethics are the practical side of morality. In other words, ethics determine what we do with our moral beliefs and religious values.

Kohlberg's Theory of Moral Development

Moral development begins in childhood and continues throughout your entire life. In the 1930s, the Swiss psychologist Jean Piaget concluded that a child's moral understanding grows as their cognitive abilities mature. Later in the 1950s, Lawrence Kohlberg developed a stage theory of moral development, including six stages that a person passes through as they mature. Kohlberg's theory is incredibly influential in the field of developmental psychology.

Kohlberg studied a group of 72 children from lower- and middle-class families, recording their reactions to moral questions. Based on this research, he put together his six stages and divided them up again into three levels. Remember, Kohlberg's theory is not just about childhood; his stages span all the way through adulthood. Interestingly, Kohlberg believed that most people do not reach the last stages! As we go through Kohlberg's stages, we will try to answer the question below:

Fig. 2 Freshly baked bread, pixabay.com

Kohlberg's Stages and Levels of Moral Development

There are 3 levels in Kohlberg's theory: pre-conventional, conventional, and post-conventional morality. Things get tricky when you add in the 2 stages within each level.

Level 1 of Kohlberg's Theory: Preconventional Morality

Level 1 of Kohlberg's levels is reached by around 8 or 9 years of age. Preconventional morality is focused on the self and self-interest. The primary focus is on obedience. The main concern is to follow the rules to avoid punishment and gain rewards. Stage 1 of preconventional morality is called

obedience and punishment: Rules are obeyed in order to avoid punishment. Stage 2 is called individualism: Rules are obeyed in order to gain rewards. At this level, children have an underdeveloped understanding of the needs of others and society.

Level 2 of Kohlberg's Theory: Conventional Morality

The second level of Kohlberg's theory is reached by early adolescence. Conventional Morality is focused on maintaining the social structure. There is an increased focus on membership within society and earning the approval of others. The primary focus is on how we are perceived by others.

Stage 3 of conventional morality is called interpersonal relationships: Answers to moral questions are influenced primarily by the approval of others. The "good child" identity is central to this stage.

Stage 4 is called maintaining social order: Decisions are based on respecting authority and doing right by society, not just the individual. Feelings of guilt about decisions play a central role at this stage.

Level 3 of Kohlberg's Theory: Postconventional Morality

This is the final level in Kohlberg's theory, and it is reached around late adolescence, early adulthood, or later in life. In the postconventional morality stage, we draw our moral reasoning from broad principles that extend beyond the scope of societal rules. This stage involves a higher level of reasoning and considering multiple perspectives on the issue.

Stage 5 is called the social contract: Morality is determined by a democratic process that ways individual needs and beliefs against the needs of society. Laws or rules are viewed as changeable in order to support the greatest number of people. Justice, the fair conclusion of differences or conflicts, becomes important at this level. Stage 6 is called universal principles: Morality is determined by a nuanced, critical understanding of justice, equity, and duty. Decision-making extends beyond a single moral act to consider the implications and personal responsibility.

While the goal is to rise through all of the stages of this model, Kohlberg believed that many people stay in the second level of conventional morality. Morality in action is the hard work of moral development.

Other Theories of Moral Development

Kohlberg's theory is built on a Westernized, individualist moral value system and does not apply the same way in all other cultures. Societies with a collectivistic moral value system may develop moral reasoning much differently than Americans. Additionally, men and women are socialized differently to foster adopting certain values more strongly than others. Kohlberg's research sample was primarily male!

Behavior happens in a social context. Society plays a large role in what we think is acceptable or unacceptable behavior. There are two theories of social moral development: Carol Gilligan's theory and the moral intuition theory.

Gender and Moral Development Theory

Psychologist Carol Gilligan (1996) believed there is a significant difference between the moral values of men and women due to socialization. She asserted that men favor a morality of justice and understand morality more in terms of sweeping concepts like law, fairness, and justice. Women have a more interpersonal understanding of morality, focusing on the good of an individual within a group or relationship. This is sometimes called a morality of caring since it fosters a strong sense of compassion. Gilligan said that because Kohlberg's theory focused mostly on broad concepts like justice, it does not adequately represent moral development in women.

Moral Intuition Theory

Other researchers describe a moral intuition theory of morality, believing that our moral behavior is largely based on automatic, gut reactions. This model suggests that our moral actions are directed by emotion because our moral reactions and decisions do not always line up with our stated moral beliefs or values. Moral intuition theory states that people often override their moral reasoning and react from emotion or gut reactions. Gut reactions are automatic physiological reactions to a situation or action that happen before we have a chance to use reasoning.

Fig. 3 Trolley, Wikimedia Commons

Factors that Influence Moral Development

Many factors influence and shape our moral development. Gender socialization can play a significant role in shaping our moral beliefs. Carol Gilligan believed that socialization leads men and women to develop different pathways of moral reasoning. Our families play an important part in our moral development as well. Studies show that children who grow up in families that hold prejudicial beliefs about people from other backgrounds are more likely to hold prejudiced beliefs later in life. Families who believe in gender equality are more likely to have kids who grow up valuing fairness across genders.

Culture also influences moral development. Culture dictates societal opinions about what is acceptable to wear or do. It also shapes the way we view the consequences of our behavior and decisions. In some cultures, doing something immoral brings shame to an entire family. In more individualistic societies, one person's decision reflects more on the individual than the family as a whole. Religious or spiritual beliefs also influence our notions of right and wrong. Things that are forbidden in our religious traditions show up in our personal and societal philosophies. The things that are sacred or celebrated in our religious beliefs become parts of our moral compass or reasoning.