Compare and contrast the moral development theories of Lawrence Kohlberg and Carol Gilligan

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Kohlberg conducted a series of studies in which children, adolescents, and adults were presented with moral dilemmas that took the form of stories. He classified moral reasoning into three sequential levels: (1) Preconventional level (age seven to ten): Children's perceptions are based on punishment and obedience. (2) Conventional level (age ten through adulthood): People are most concerned with how they are perceived by their peers and with how one conforms to rules. (3) Postconventional level (few adults reach this stage): People view morality in terms of individual rights? "moral conduct" is judged by principles based on human rights that transcend government and laws.

According to Gilligan, Kohlberg's model was developed solely on the basis of research with male respondents, who often have different views from women on morality. Gilligan believes that men become more concerned with law and order but that women tend to analyze social relationships and the social consequences of behavior.