2. Developmental Theories and Theorists

3. Kohlberg's Theory of Moral Reasoning

We have talked about different kinds of development.  Lawrence Kohlberg was interested in what most psychologists of the day avoided. How do we develop our morals?

Watch the video of the train dilemma.  What would you do? Why?

In his research of morality, Kohlberg asked boys these types of questions and proposed this theory of development of morality:

Later, another psychologist, Carol Gilligan concluded in her research with girls, that girls' higher levels of morality depended on ideas of empathy rather than Ideal Principles.  With this in mind, how might girls or boys answer the train question differently?

Refer to Beoree' s Page on Moral Reasoning for more information.