Which of the following statements reflects Carol Gilligan's criticism of Lawrence Kohlberg's theory of moral development?
- Kohlberg's theory is based on a male norm that puts abstract principles above relationships and concern for others.
- Kohlberg's theory sees an individual as a product of a family process and as dependent on the process to make moral decisions.
- Kohlberg's theory does not capture much of the moral reasoning voiced in various cultures around the world.
- Kohlberg's theory places too much emphasis on moral behavior and not enough emphasis on moral thought.
Moral Development: Development that involves thoughts, feelings, and behaviors regarding rules and conventions about what people should do in their interactions with other people.
Which of the following statements represents a criticism of Lawrence Kohlberg's theory of moral development?
- Kohlberg's theory is based on the prevention of suffering of others.
- Compassion is given too much importance in Kohlberg's theory.
- There is too much emphasis on moral thought and not enough emphasis on moral behavior.
- There is no emphasis on the need for justice in matters of morality.
Moral Development: Development that involves thoughts, feelings, and behaviors regarding rules and conventions about what people should do in their interactions with other people.
In a survey, participants were asked whether buying a stolen television is morally right. More than 80 percent of the respondents said that it is morally wrong. However, 50 percent of the respondents admitted that they would buy the television if guaranteed that they would not be caught. In the context of the scenario, which of the following statements would most likely serve as a criticism for Lawrence Kohlberg's theory on moral development?
- As people age, their moral reasoning is increasingly based on the application of standards set by others.
- Moral thinking is an intuitive gut reaction.
- Purchasing stolen property is an accepted social convention.
- Moral reasoning can sometimes be a shelter for immoral behavior.
Moral Development: Development that involves thoughts, feelings, and behaviors regarding rules and conventions about what people should do in their interactions with other people.
Which of the following statements is true of the criticism of Lawrence Kohlberg's theory of moral development?
- Kohlberg's theory stresses that moral thoughts are essentially unimportant in children's moral development.
- Kohlberg's approach misses or misconstrues some important moral concepts in specific cultures.
- Kohlberg's theory puts relationships and concern for others above abstract principles.
- Kohlberg's approach emphasizes that morality begins with rapid evaluative judgments of others.
Identify a true statement about Carol Gilligan's criticism of Lawrence Kohlberg's theory of moral development.
- Kohlberg's theory puts too much emphasis on interpersonal communication.
- Kohlberg's theory views people in terms of their connectedness with others.
- Kohlberg's theory takes a care perspective with regard to moral development.
- Kohlberg's theory puts justice at the heart of morality.
In contrast with Kohlberg's theory, Gilligan argues for a(n) ________ perspective, which views people in terms of their connectedness with others and emphasizes interpersonal communication, relationships with others, and concern for others.
- justice
- care
- nonegocentric
- egocentric
Theory: An interrelated, coherent set of ideas that helps to explain phenomena and facilitate predictions.
With regard to morality, Nasrin believes that the focus should be on abstract principles rather than on relationships and concern for others. Therefore, she has a(n) ________ perspective on morality.
- prosocial
- care
- justice
- unconventional
Justice Perspective: A moral perspective that focuses on the rights of the individual and in which individuals independently make moral decisions.
Lawrence Kohlberg studied moral development by
- identifying the personality type related to high and low self-esteem in children.
- presenting children with a series of stories in which characters face moral dilemmas.
- observing children interact with each other when they were in conflict.
- interviewing families about how they have taught moral principles to their children.
Kohlberg emphasized perspective taking and ________ as critical aspects of the social stimulation that challenges children to change their moral reasoning.
- sibling interaction
- peer interaction
- parental influence
- teacher influence
Centration: Focusing attention on one characteristic to the exclusion of all others.
A person who is arrested for stealing company documents says, "Yes, I did steal the documents, and I am willing to go to jail for it. These documents prove that the company was engaging in a cover-up of the unsafe properties of its chemical. I think the public has a right to know about it." Lawrence Kohlberg would classify this person as using ________ reasoning.
- conventional
- unconventional
- preconventional
- postconventional
Postconventional Reasoning: The highest level in Kohlberg’s theory of moral development. At this level, the individual recognizes alternative moral courses, explores the options, and then decides on a personal moral code.
When asked why she participated with other students in a protest against the treatment of women on her university campus, Kai says that all human beings should have equal rights. According to Kai, the university has rules that are unfair to women; and she is morally against such discriminatory practices. Kai is likely operating at the ________ reasoning level of Lawrence Kohlberg's theory.
- postconventional
- conventional
- unconventional
- preconventional
Postconventional Reasoning: The highest level in Kohlberg’s theory of moral development. At this level, the individual recognizes alternative moral courses, explores the options, and then decides on a personal moral code.
Tapi believes that all human beings have certain inalienable rights that need to be protected. She believes that the current law in her country that prohibits interracial marriage is unfair and should be changed. In the context of Kohlberg's levels of moral thinking, which of the following describes Tapi's level of moral reasoning?
- postconventional
- conventional
- preconventional
- universal
Postconventional Reasoning: The highest level in Kohlberg’s theory of moral development. At this level, the individual recognizes alternative moral courses, explores the options, and then decides on a personal moral code.
Megan bases her moral decisions on fear of punishment. In the context of Kohlberg's levels of moral thinking, Megan is currently in the ________ reasoning level of moral thinking.
- preconventional
- conventional
- interconventional
- postconventional
Preconventional Reasoning: The lowest level in Kohlberg’s theory of moral development. The individual’s moral reasoning is controlled primarily by external rewards and punishment.
Individuals who ________ have the moral personality, identity, character, and set of virtues that reflect moral excellence and commitment.
- have a moral character
- have a moral identity
- are characterized as moral exemplars
- are characterized as gender-biased
Commitment: Marcia’s term for the part of identity development in which adolescents show a personal investment in identity.