DAC Psychology The Development of Moral Reasoning Questions

The Development of Moral Reasoning

In Europe, a woman was near death from cancer. One drug might save her, a form of radium that a druggist in the same town had recently discovered. The druggist was charging $2000, ten times what the drug cost him to make. The sick woman’s husband, Heinz, went to everyone he knew to borrow the money, but he could only get together about half of what it cost. He told the druggist that his wife was dying and asked him to sell it cheaper or let him pay later. But the druggist said, “No.” The husband got desperate and broke into the druggist’s store to steal the drug for his wife. Should the husband have done that? Why or why not? (Kohlberg, 1969, p.379)

Questions:

1. As you read the scenario above, was Heinz right for breaking into the store? Did he do the right thing? Why or why not? 

Kohlberg’s Theory of Moral Development

Kohlberg was interested in the process individuals’ use in their determination of whether something is right or wrong.  He did not care what particular choice the person made.

Instructions: Please use bold color text to complete the fill-in answers below (choose any bold color). Then continue with questions 2 & 3 below.

Three Levels of Moral Development

o Pre-conventional Level – (usually up to age 9) Children rely on surrounding adults to help shape their moral decisions. Children are usually punished if they break the rules.

? Stage 1 Punishment Orientation

Right and wrong is determined by what ____________

? Stage 2 Naïve Reward Orientation

Right and wrong is determined by what is ______________

o Conventional Level – Individuals tend to determine right and wrong based on societal norms, rules, and laws.

? Stage 3 Good Boy/Good Girl Orientation

? Right and wrong is determined by close other’s or ________________

? Stage 4 Authority Orientation

? Right and wrong is determined by ______________ rules, and laws, and conforming to ____________. “This is right” “This is wrong”

o Postconventional Level – Individuals tend to determine right and wrong based on their beliefs and values

? Stage 5 Social Contract Orientation

? Right and wrong is determined by ____________ __________

? Stage 6 Individual Principles and Conscience Orientation

? Right and wrong is determined by _____________ ethical/moral principles

2. Look back at Kohlberg’s Stage Theory (above) and use it to assess your answer. What level and stage does your answer exemplify? Explain why you assessed it as you did.

3. Name a moral dilemma you have faced in your life and explain how you resolved it. What level and stage does your answer exemplify? Explain why you assessed it as you did.