Findings

• Findings

  Moral development can be split into three stages:

  1. Preconventional
  2. Conventional
  3. Postconventional
• Findings - Pre Conventional level

  Morality based on consequences + No understanding of reasoning or society's conventions

  • Stage 1 (OBEDIENCE AND PUNISHMENT) = actions only considered wrong if punished, children ignore motivation behind an action
  • Stage 2 (INSTRUMENTAL PURPOSE) = Morality governed by self interest
• Findings - Conventional Level

  Morality is determined by society's views and expectations - accepted without question

  • Stage 3 (INTERPERSONAL COOPERATION) = seeking approval by following conventions and norms
  • Stage 4 (SOCIAL ORDER MAINTAINING) = emphasis on orders and conventions - understood as vital for a functioning society rather than a need for approval - people have a DUTY to uphold laws
• Findings - Post Conventional level

  Understanding that individuals are separate from society + morality is judged by abstract concepts + rules can be changed

  • Stage 5 (THE SOCIAL CONTRACT) = Morality is seen as relative anf flexible - Laws are social constructs and not rigid laws
  • Stage 6 (UNIVERSAL ETHICAL PRINCIPLES) = Morality based on abstract ideals and ethical principles. If there is a conflict between morals and law, law should be disobeyed. The individual acts because it is right, not to avoid punishment
• Cross Cultural findings

  • Stages are universal
  • Differences in how children progress through the stages
  • Middle class children in all cultures progressed quicker than lower class children
  • Religion had no effect