Kohlberg and Gilligan

Dr. Lawrence Kohlberg Born October 25, 1927

Rebel With a Cause

WWII engineer

1948 University of Chicago

Work

“Tropical Disease”

Suicide January 19, 1987

Kohlberg’s Theory Evolves Influenced by Piaget

Interviews

“The Dilemma of Heinz” Reason of Yes and No

Young No

Old Yes

Influences Parents vs. Society

Kohlberg’s Stages of Moral Reasoning

• Level I • Preconventional Morality

• (4-10 years old)

• Level II • Conventional Morality

• (10-13 years old)

• Level III • Postconventional/Principled

• (adolescence to adulthood)

Kohlberg’s Stages of Moral Reasoning Level I Stage 1

STAGE 1

Heteronomous Morality Obeying to Avoid

Superior's Power

No Concern for Others

EXAMPLE

I do not say any bad words because if I say a bad word my Mommy with spank me.

Kohlberg’s Stages of Moral Reasoning Level I Stage 2

STAGE 2

Individualistic, Instrumental Morality

Follow rules only if interests do too

Understand Others Needs

Satisfy Owns Needs First

Minimize Negative Consequences

EXAMPLE For a Dollar, I will brush

my teeth.

Kohlberg’s Stages of Moral Reasoning Level II Stage 3

STAGE 3

Interpersonally Normative Morality

Close One’s Needs

Other’s Approval

Shared Feelings

Less Individual

EXAMPLE

I do my homework before I play because it makes my Mom happy.

Kohlberg’s Stages of Moral Reasoning Level II Stage 4

STAGE 4

Social System Morality Social System Fair

Social Obligations

Social Norm

EXAMPLE I will not talk during a golfers swing because that is

one of the rules

Kohlberg’s Stages of Moral Reasoning Level III

Stage 5

STAGE 5

Human Rights and Social Welfare Morality

Social System Understood

Moral Obligation

Social Relationships EXAMPLE

I pay taxes because it’s the law

Kohlberg’s Stages of Moral Reasoning Level III

Stage 6 STAGE 6

Morality of Universalizable, Reversible and Prescriptive General Ethical Principles

Point of View

Equality of Human Rights

Fairness in the Process

EXAMPLE I get my emissions done not because it’s the law

but because it’s the right thing to do

Kohlberg’s Theory Today

James Rest

Defining Issues Test

Rest’s Neo- Kohlbergian Approach Stage 1: Obedience

Stage 2: Instrumental egoism and simple exchange

Stage 3: Interpersonal concordance

Stage 4: Law and duty to the social order

Stage 5: Societal consensus

Stage 6: Nonarbitrary social cooperation

Dr. Carol Gilligan

Born in New York City November 28, 1936

Education Swarthmore College 1958

Bachelor in Literature

Radcliffe University 1960 Master of Clinical Psychology

Harvard University 1964 Doctorate in Social Psychology

Dr. Carol Gilligan

Harvard Professor

Research Assistant for Kohlberg

Biasness

Feminist

In a Different Voice: Psychological Theory and Women's Development

Gilligan’s Theory of Women’s Moral Development

Level 1 Orientation to Individual Survival

First Transition: From Selfishness to Responsibility

Level 2 Goodness as Self- Sacrifice

Second Transition: From Goodness to Truth

Level 3 The Morality of Nonviolence

Level 1 Orientation to Individual Survival

Self- Centered

Relationships and Expectations

Fulfill the Individual

Preserving the Self

EXAMPLE

18 year old saying there is “no right decision” when it came to her abortion because she did not want to be

pregnant

Level 1 First Transition

From Selfishness to Responsibility

Attachment

Necessity vs Desire

Questioning

Doing the Right Thing

EXAMPLE Girls undergoing sorority recruitment

Level 2 Goodness as Self- Sacrifice

Self centered vs. Others

Feminine values

Hurting Others

Conflict

EXAMPLE Maria wants to attend college but must stay home to take

care of her ill mother

Level 2 Second Transition

From Goodness to Truth

Questions???

Re-examine

“Groupthink” vs. Individual

Selfishness vs Responsibility

EXAMPLE ????

Level 3 The Morality of Nonviolence Avoidance

Principle of Care

Selfishness and Responsibility

Reconciliation

EXAMPLE ???????