Moral development

Question 1

Morality

Answer 1

a set of principles by which individuals can distinguish right and wrong and adjust their behaviour accordingly

Question 2

Moral development

Answer 2

process through which children learn principles which allow them to judge behaviour in society as right or wrong and adjust their behaviour accordingly

Question 3

Moral education

Answer 3

process by which children learn to decide between right and wrong and adjust their behaviour accordingly

Question 4

Moral education forms part of the ____

Answer 4

hidden curriculum

Question 5

Psychoanalytic theory

Answer 5

• through their special relationship with their parents children unconsciously take on the moral standards of their parents

Question 6

Social learning theory

Answer 6

• Child learns by observing others in their social environment
• morals, pro-social behaviour, language and aggression control learned this way

Question 7

Piaget’s theory of moral development

Answer 7

• cognitive development is necessary for moral reasoning

- there are 3 stages

Question 8

Piaget’s 3 stages of moral development

Answer 8

1. Pre-moral (0-5)
   - no rules, unaware of wrongdoing
2. Heteronome morality (5-10)
   - respect for rules out of fear of punishment
   - moral absolutism and immanent justice
3. Independent morality
   - flexibility, understanding social rules can bend

Question 9

Kohlberg’s 3 levels of moral reasoning

Answer 9

1. Pre-conventional (punishment orientated, own needs 1st)
2. Conventional (approval of others, society + law influence)
3. Post conventional (abstract individual values)

Question 10

Kohlberg’s 6 stages of moral reasoning

Answer 10

1. Obedience orientation
2. Rewards/exchange orientation
3. Relationship orientation
4. Law & order orientation
5. Social contract orientation
6. Universal ethical principle orientation

Question 11

Criticism to Kohlberg’s moral reasoning model

Answer 11

• stages don’t seem separate/sequenced/consistent
• moral choices involve more than reasoning
• overlooks aspects of moral maturity
• stages are biased in favour f western male values

Question 12

Teacher’s role

Answer 12

• enhance moral dev through discussions which allow learners to examine their thinking and compare it with others
• integrate reasoning into all areas of school