Bowman et al. (2010) states that "third-level reasoning…prevents abuse of professional skills for one's own advantage or for that of one's social group" (2010).
Kohlberg believed that the U.S. government, the official morality, requires fifth stage moral reasoning (Lewis & Gilman 2005). This level asks for respect of individual rights and it accepts critically examined values (2005). While this stage is not the highest stage (the highest being a stage where life is considered "sacred"), it is above the norm. This should also be the level that administrative officials, as well as other individuals in positions of power, strive to attain. To be an administrative authority necessitates the belief that all individuals inherently have freedoms and values that cannot be manipulated in any way. Lewis and Gilman (2005) stress that when one is looking at the principles of Kohlberg's different levels and stages, it isn't about "the invoking of 'high principles' that credits a subject with high-stage thinking, but rather the way that a subject sets up the problem and deals with the claims of all participants in a dilemma" (Rest 1980; 2005).
Kohlberg's theory of moral development is a sound theory, however, we cannot deny that people, because of their different positions in stages, have different ways of viewing moral problems and thus respond in a different manner (Lewis & Gilman 2005). Kohlberg also believed that people could respond in ways that mix the different stages together (2005) -- that is, a person could use moral reasoning of right and wrong learned when they were a child and mix it with moral reasoning concerning law and order.
In the article entitled, "Are women more ethical? Recent findings on the effects of gender upon moral development," White (1999) investigated whether gender played a role in moral development. Are women generally more ethical than men? The study investigated 299 male and female members of the U.S. Coast Guard, focusing on public ethics. If gender was found to play a role in ethical behavior, then White (1999) believed that "a profound impact on administrative behavior can be hypothesized." Carol Gilligan...
Moral Development/Kohlberg Kohlberg's Theory of Moral Development: Therapeutic Implications Kohlberg continues to be a significant figure and influence on the field of psychology. He is well-known for his theory of moral development which details different stages of morality throughout one's life. Although the theory has faced criticisms, particularly due to a questionable generalization to all cultures, it continues to be a basis of knowledge and usefulness in practice. In regards to
The teacher who is cognizant of Kohlberg's theory and observant of student behavior might take the opportunity to help direct children who are beginning to make that transition to think about morality in ways that help them narrow their focus to understand basic concepts about why certain types of behavior may be moral or immoral. Without guidance, children may merely shift from the concern over doing what adults say
MORAL DEVELOPMENT & GENDER CARE | Moral Development and Gender Care Theories Moral Development Moral development in humans occurs naturally together with physical, social and mental development. Individually as well as in social settings, mankind evolves a developed moral character and conscience in spite of numerous social and psychological barriers, which temporarily retard or disturb the process. In axiology, concepts of moral development give rise to feelings of being an active and developing
Kohlberg's theory of moral development presents three levels with two stages each of moral reasoning. The reason or motive for the behavior of an individual is what defines each stage (Crain, 1985). In order to come up with this developmental theory Kohlberg carried out studies using various dilemmas and finding out how the subjects responded. His main interest in the process is not a "yes" or "no" said by the
Moral Development & Gender Bias The influence of moral development on the perpetuation of gender bias among males and females in the school setting In analyzing the moral development that humans undergo from childhood to adulthood, it is important to look into the models and theories in psychology that served as the foundation of this field. Moral development among humans can be categorized into different stages, in the same way that human
Moral Development Theory One of the biggest scandals involving print journalism in recent history has recently been uncovered in England -- and it involves one of the most popular tabloids in the UK, The News of the World. Reporters employed by the popular print tabloid have been found to have hacked into the cellphone voice messages of celebrities, the Royal Family, sports notables and politicians. Those whose actions or lack of
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