22 Questions
At the conventional level, individuals obey rules and follow society's norms only when there are consequences for disobedience.
False
In the 'Good Boy / Good Girl' stage, individuals are more concerned with their own principles than with societal expectations.
False
In the Law and Order stage, challenging the status quo is encouraged as a way to bring about positive change.
False
Post-conventional moralists often prioritize societal norms over their own ethical principles.
False
At the conventional level, individuals are encouraged to question the appropriateness or fairness of rules and conventions.
False
In the Post-Conventional Level, individuals prioritize societal expectations over their own moral principles.
False
In the 'Good Boy / Good Girl' stage, individuals are vulnerable to peer pressure and seek approval from others.
True
The Post-Conventional Level is characterized by a strong adherence to societal norms and conventions.
False
According to Kohlberg, the process of moral development stops at adolescence.
False
Kohlberg's stages of moral development are about ranking how moral someone's behavior is.
False
Individuals at the pre-conventional level judge the morality of an action by its direct consequences on others.
False
Stage 1 of moral development is characterized by the 'what's in it for me' position.
False
The conventional level of morality is typical of young children.
False
Moral obedience is a key aspect of post-conventional morality.
False
Kohlberg's theory holds that moral development has six stages, grouped into two levels of morality.
False
Social contract is a key concept in Kohlberg's stages of moral development.
False
In Post-Conventional Morality, rules are viewed as absolute dictates that must be obeyed without question.
False
In Stage 5, laws are regarded as rigid edicts that must be followed without question.
False
In Stage 6, moral decisions are based on hypothetical reasoning.
False
A person who exhibits post-conventional morality will always obey the law without questioning its validity.
False
In Stage 5, individuals behave according to their own personal interests, rather than considering the greater good.
False
In Stage 6, a commitment to justice involves obeying all laws, regardless of their validity.
False
Study Notes
Kohlberg's Stages of Moral Development
- Kohlberg's theory holds that moral reasoning has six identifiable developmental stages, each more adequate at responding to moral dilemmas than its predecessor.
- The stages are grouped into three levels of morality: pre-conventional, conventional, and post-conventional.
The Pre-Conventional Level
- Typical in children, but also exhibited by adults.
- Judges morality of an action by its direct consequences.
- Consists of stages 1 and 2 of moral development, solely concerned with the self in an egocentric manner.
Stage 1: Reward and Punishment
- Focuses on direct consequences of actions on themselves.
- An action is perceived as morally wrong because the agent is punished.
- The worse the punishment, the more "bad" the act is perceived to be.
Stage 2: Mutual Benefit
- Expresses the "what's in it for me" position.
- Right behavior is defined by whatever the individual believes to be in their best interest, but understood in a narrow way that doesn't consider reputation or relationships.
The Conventional Level
- Typical of adolescents and adults.
- Characterized by an acceptance of society's conventions concerning right and wrong.
Stage 3: “Good Boy / Good Girl”
- Individuals conform to social standards, seeking approval or disapproval from others.
- They act depending on "what others would say" and are vulnerable to peer pressure.
Stage 4: Law and Order
- Importance is placed on obeying laws and social conventions to maintain a functioning society.
- Challenging or questioning the status quo is frowned upon as it's seen as a threat to the established order.
The Post-Conventional Level
- Also known as the principled level, marked by a growing realization that individuals are separate entities from society.
- Individuals may disobey rules inconsistent with their own principles.
Stage 5: Social Contract Driven
- Viewed as holding different opinions, rights, and values that should be mutually respected.
- Laws are regarded as social contracts rather than rigid edicts, and are based on the principle of utility.
Stage 6: Universal Ethical Principle Driven
- Moral reasoning is based on abstract reasoning using universal ethical principles.
- Laws are valid only insofar as they are grounded in justice, and a commitment to justice carries with it an obligation to disobey unjust laws.
- Decisions are not reached hypothetically but rather categorically.
This quiz assesses understanding of the third stage of Lawrence Kohlberg's moral development theory, where individuals conform to societal norms and expectations.
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