Journal #5: Lawrence Kohlberg's Stages of Moral Development
Lawrence Kohlberg’s Moral development studied the different responses of children at different ages to see their moral reasoning, and how their moral reasoning grows as they grow.
Level One: Pre-Conventional Morality
The first level happens around the age of 9. The moral code is shaped by the adults and their consequences of following or breaking their rules. There are two different stages to this level, stage one is the The first stage is called the Obedience and Punishment Orientation. During this stage the child is taught that if he/she is good that they will not get punished, but if they get punish they have must have done something bad. The second stage is called Individualism and Exchange. At this stage children realize that there is more than one way to do something right, and that different people have different point of views for each situations.
http://mindbendersgroup.weebly.com/preconventional-morality.html
Level Two: Conventional Morality
The next level is called the Conventional, at this level we begin to embody the moral standards of being adult and them as role models. This stage usually takes place around the time if adolescents and young adulthood. At this time they begin to internalized the reasoning of the norms of the social groups that the person belongs to. This level has two different stages. The third stage of the conventional morality and the first stage of level 2 is called the Good Interpersonal Relationships. During this stage the individual tries to act good to be seen by others as a good person, so they can have the approval of others. The fourth stage is called the Maintaining Social Order stage. At this stage the person learns the rules of society so they can obey them to uphold to the law.
http://o5.com/how-to-confidently-start-a-conversation/friends-hanging-out/
Level Three: Post-Conventional Morality
The last level is called the Post-Conventional Morality. This level consist of 10-15% of adults, not before mid-thirties. individuals in this level judgement is based on their own self-chosen principles, and moral reasoning is based on individual rights and justice. The first stage of level three is called the Social Contract and Individual Rights. Under this stage the individual will become aware that the rules exist for the greater good, but at times those laws or rules will be working against the interest of the individual. They see that the protection of a individual is more important than breaking a law. The sixth and final stage is called the Universal Principles. Individuals at this stage have their own personal set of moral guidelines that may or may not fit within the laws. The person will go against the rest of the society when it comes to these principles, even if they have to pay the consequence of disapproval from others and/or imprisonment. Kohlberg believes that very few people will ever reach this stage.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/alejandro-rojas/ocd-expert-stars-in-ebook_b_4119218.html
Questions:
1.Should Heinz have stole the drug?
Although I feel that I would have done the same thing as Heinz if a family member or a very close friend had a life threatening disease, I don’t believe that Heinz should have stole the drug. I believe that there could have been more ways that they could have raised money to get the drug. I think I feel this way because we have it so drilled in our minds of the things that could happen to us from stealing, but you never know what you will actually do until you are put into a situation of that sort.
2. Would it change anything if Heinz did not love his wife?
I feel that if Heinz did not love his wife, why is he still married to her? But I feel that if you are still connect to the person in that kind of way, I would still steal the drug.
3.What if the person dying was a stranger, would it make any difference?
I believe that changes the situation drastically. People do many things for people that they love, but that really changes when the person is a complete stranger.
4. Should the police arrest the chemist for murder if the woman died?
No, the chemist shouldn’t be arrested for the ‘murder’ of the women. I feel that if you were to arrest the chemist there are so many more things that people would be arrested for. Arresting the chemist would be like having to arrest a person that didn’t give money to a homeless person and having the that person get arrested. Plus there was no guarantee that the drug would save her from the beginning.
Sources:
http://www.simplypsychology.org/kohlberg.html
http://psychology.about.com/od/developmentalpsychology/a/kohlberg.htm
http://www.csudh.edu/dearhabermas/kohlberg01bk.htm
