All Flashcards
What is Kohlberg's theory of moral development?
A stage theory describing how individuals develop moral reasoning through preconventional, conventional, and postconventional stages.
What is Gilligan's critique of Kohlberg's theory?
She argued that Kohlberg's theory is biased towards a male perspective, focusing on justice rather than care.
What is the focus of preconventional morality?
Avoiding punishment and gaining rewards.
What is the focus of conventional morality?
Gaining approval and maintaining social order.
What is the focus of postconventional morality?
Personal ethical principles and human rights.
What is the main difference between justice-based and care-based morality?
Justice-based focuses on fairness and equality, while care-based focuses on relationships and avoiding harm.
How does culture influence moral development?
Individualistic cultures may promote postconventional morality, while collectivistic cultures may emphasize conventional morality.
Explain the concept of moral relativism.
The idea that moral standards are not absolute but vary depending on cultural or individual beliefs.
What is the role of empathy in moral development?
Empathy, the ability to understand and share the feelings of others, is crucial for developing care-based morality and making ethical decisions.
Describe the relationship between cognitive development and moral development.
Moral reasoning develops alongside cognitive abilities, requiring abstract thought and the ability to understand different perspectives.
Define preconventional morality.
Self-centered morality based on rewards and punishments.
Define conventional morality.
Morality based on social norms and maintaining order.
Define postconventional morality.
Morality based on personal ethical principles and human rights.
What is justice-based morality?
Focuses on autonomy, fairness, and equality, often seen in men.
What is care-based morality?
Emphasizes interconnectedness and relationships, often seen in women.
Define moral reasoning.
The thinking process involved in deciding whether an act is right or wrong.
What is the Heinz dilemma?
A moral dilemma used by Kohlberg involving a man who must decide whether to steal a life-saving drug for his wife.
Define autonomy in the context of morality.
The ability to make independent moral decisions based on one's own principles.
What does it mean for moral stages to be 'fixed in sequence'?
Kohlberg believed individuals progress through the stages of moral development in a specific order, without skipping stages.
Define individualistic culture in the context of morality.
A culture that values personal standards and individual rights, often associated with post-conventional morality.
What is the effect of cultural differences on moral reasoning?
Cultural differences can lead to variations in moral values and the emphasis placed on different stages of moral development.
How does parenting style affect moral development?
Authoritative parenting, which combines warmth and clear expectations, tends to promote higher levels of moral reasoning.
What is the impact of moral reasoning on behavior?
Higher levels of moral reasoning are associated with more ethical and prosocial behavior.
How does exposure to diverse perspectives affect moral development?
Exposure to diverse perspectives can challenge existing beliefs and promote more complex moral reasoning.
What is the effect of deindividuation on moral behavior?
Deindividuation, such as wearing a mask, can lead to a loss of self-awareness and a greater likelihood of engaging in unethical behavior.
How does empathy influence moral decision-making?
Empathy allows individuals to understand and share the feelings of others, leading to more compassionate and ethical choices.
What is the impact of moral exemplars on moral development?
Exposure to moral exemplars, individuals who demonstrate exceptional moral behavior, can inspire and motivate others to act ethically.
How does cognitive dissonance influence moral behavior?
Cognitive dissonance, the discomfort of holding conflicting beliefs, can motivate individuals to change their behavior to align with their moral values.
What is the effect of moral disengagement on unethical behavior?
Moral disengagement, the process of rationalizing unethical behavior, can lead to a greater likelihood of engaging in harmful actions.
How does social influence impact moral choices?
Social influence, such as peer pressure, can lead individuals to make moral choices that they would not otherwise make.