Kohlberg's developmental research on the Child as a Moral Philosopher (1968)

Kohlberg’s developmental research on the Child as a Moral Philosopher (1968)

Overview of Kohlberg’s Research

• Lawrence Kohlberg (1968) proposed a cognitive developmental explanation for moral reasoning.
• The research’s primary aim was to investigate how moral reasoning evolves throughout childhood into adulthood.
• Based on Jean Piaget’s work, Kohlberg believed that children are active thinkers and shape their moral understanding through interaction with their environment.

Design and Methodology

• Kohlberg’s study was longitudinal, tracking the moral development of children over many years.
• The moral reasoning of the participants was assessed using a series of moral dilemmas, the most famous being the ‘Heinz dilemma.’
• Participants were required to make judgment calls and justify their decisions, giving Kohlberg insight into their stage of moral development.

Key Findings

• Kohlberg presented a six-stage theory of moral development, divided into three main levels: Pre-conventional, conventional, and post-conventional.
• Findings indicated that as children grow older, their reasoning behind moral decisions becomes less egocentric and more sophisticated.
• However, not everyone reaches the final stages of moral development, and progression through the stages is not linear.

Ethical Considerations

• Ethical concerns in Kohlberg’s study largely revolve around issues of privacy and potential psychological harm due to the personal nature of discussing moral dilemmas.
• Additionally, the length and commitment of a longitudinal study also raise issues of informed consent, as participants may not entirely grasp the long-term nature of what they agree to.

Significance and Influence

• Kohlberg’s research has fundamentally shaped how society understands moral reasoning and its development.
• His theoretical framework has been applied in fields like education and criminal justice, as well as parenting and child development.
• The research has stimulated numerous debates and further research, establishing Kohlberg as a major influence in psychology.

Validity and Generalisability

• Concerns exist regarding the cultural and gender bias in Kohlberg’s research, as the original study mainly involved white, middle-class boys.
• This bias raises questions about the cross-cultural validity and gender generalisability of the six stages of moral development.
• Additionally, Kohlberg’s heavy reliance on hypothetical dilemmas has posed questions about the real-life application and ecological validity of the findings.