PSY 220 Lecture Notes - Lecture 14: 18 Months, Social System, Prosocial Behavior
Document Summary
The reasoning behind a behavior is critical for determining whether a given behavior is moral or immoral. Changes in moral reasoning form the basis of moral development: kohlberg"s theory of moral judgment. Assessed moral judgment by presenting children with hypothetical moral dilemmas and then questioning them about the issues involved in their moral judgments. Proposed three levels of moral judgment: 1. Preconventional: moral reasoning is self- centered, focusing on getting rewards and avoiding punishment: 2. Conventional: moral reasoning is centered on social relationships: 3. Postconventional: moral reasoning is involved with ideals, focusing on moral principles. Each level involves two stages of moral judgment. First stage: orientation: punishment and obedience, description: what is seen as right is obedience to authorities, avoiding punishment. Second stage: orientation: instrumental and exchange, description: morality is defined in terms of one"s own best interest or a tit-for-tat exchange of benefits.
