Kohlberg (1968)
Aim
Kohlberg writes in relation to Piaget's theory, behaviourism, and Freudian psychology.
Supports the idea of morality being linked to the superego.
Aim is to show support for his stage theory of moral development.
Procedure
Longitudinal Study - Over the course of 12 years
75 American boys, aged 10-16 at the beginning.
Studied through to 22-28.
At three-yearly intervals, the boys were presented with hypothetical moral dilemmas, all philosophical.
Answers and reasoning were all linked to 25 basic moral concepts or aspects.
Background
Kohlberg believed the stages of moral development were invariant.
Glossary
Invariant: don't change order, one after another, nothing missed.
The speed, however, could vary.
Not all people would achieve the highest level of moral development. Some would remain at a lower.
Evidence of criminals having lower levels.
One moral aspect is the motivation to obey rules.
Six identified reasons for motivation to obey rules (ascending order).
To avoid punishment
To obtain rewards
To avoid dislike by others
To avoid punishment by authority
To be respected by others
To avoid self-condemnation
Another aspect is value of human life (ascending order).
Based on social status or physical attributes of possessor
Linked to satisfying the needs of possessor
Based on the affection of family members for possessor
Valued because of its place in a defined order
Valued because of the right to live and in terms of societal welfare
Valued because of universal respect for the individual
He explored moral development in other cultures too. Firstly, Malaysia and Taiwan, but later Mexico, Turkey, Canada, and the UK.
Conclusion
See Kolhberg's Stage Theory of Moral Development Table
See evidence table.
Moral development occurs in the same sequence.
Regardless of cultural difference.
Moral thought develops in improving stages of cognitive organisation.