Describe the moral development theory of psychologist Lawrence Kohlberg and discuss psychologist Carol Gilligan's view on gender and moral development

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: At the preconventional level (ages seven to ten),

children's perceptions are based on punishment and obedience. At the conventional

level (age ten through adulthood), people are most concerned with how they are

perceived by their peers, and on how they conform to rules. Few adults reach the

postconventional level, at which one views morality in terms of 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. She

argued that women and men often have divergent views on morality based on

differences in socialization and life experiences. Gilligan believes that men become

more concerned with law and order but that women analyze social relationships and

the social consequences of behavior.