Introduction
One of the fundamental purposes of parenting is children’s moral development because humans are social beings. A child should be provided a firm foundation at each age stage to develop into a morally solid individual (5 Stages of Moral Growth of Children, 2021). Kail and Cavanaugh (2018) state that most children’s moral reasoning is nearly entirely regulated by punishments and rewards. The essay will analyze various sources to define the concept of moral development in psychology, the reasons to study moral development, and the different stages of moral development.
Moral Development in Psychology
It is essential to define moral development in psychology. Cherry (2022) acknowledges that moral development is the process through which humans learn to distinguish between right and wrong and participate in moral reasoning. Lawrence Kohlberg, an American psychologist, established one of the most well-known theories of moral development (Cherry, 2022). His research refined and extended Jean Piaget’s earlier work, but it was more focused on describing how infants acquire moral thinking (Cherry, 2022). Furthermore, moral development in psychology is a lifelong process, and moral reasoning is primarily concerned with pursuing and upholding justice.
The Significance of Studying Moral Development
The importance of studying moral development was discussed by the following researchers. For instance, Killen and Dahl (2021) claim that moral development is integral to human growth and human societies’ evolution through time. The development of moral reasoning is necessary because it enables children and adults to oppose unfair behaviors (Killen & Dahl, 2021).
Additionally, reasoning and judgment are inextricably linked to action. Moral principles generate emotions and inspire appropriate behaviors. Killen and Dahl (2021) suggest that moral reasoning underpins the ability to oppose unjust actions, having antecedents in infancy and evolving through early life to maturity. As a result, it is vital to study moral development to comprehend its stages, assist children in developing moral reasoning, and design principles that will permit constructive societal improvements.
Moral Development Stages
There are multiple degrees of moral growth, each with its own phases. The article by Vinney (2021) will be summarized to discuss moral development stages. Firstly, the author demonstrates key takeaways, Kohlberg’s theory origins, research method, stages, and critiques (Vinney, 2021). Kohlberg used Piaget’s approach of questioning children about moral dilemmas in his research. He would provide each youngster with a series of similar challenges and ask them about their reactions to each one to uncover the reasons behind their responses.
Kohlberg’s study discovered three levels of moral development. Each level consisted of two stages, for a total of six stages (Vinney, 2021). The first level is pre-conventional morality, in which adults prescribe moral norms and the penalties for disobeying the rules. It includes two stages: “punishment and obedience orientation” and “individualism and exchange” (Vinney, 2021, para. 13-14). The second level, conventional morality, includes the following stages: “good interpersonal connections” and “societal order maintenance” (Vinney, 2021, para. 16-17). Individuals at this point begin to comprehend moral ideals but do not necessarily challenge them.
Finally, the greatest degree of moral growth is post-conventional morality. According to Vinney (2021), it incorporates the stages of “the social contract and individual rights” and “universal principles” (para. 19-20). On this level, individuals question whether what they see is fair (Vinney, 2021). Kohlberg’s theory has been challenged for favoring a Western male perspective on moral reasoning from its inception (Vinney, 2021). Nonetheless, it is one of the most well-known theories covering moral growth in children.
Conclusion
To conclude, moral development in psychology refers to how a person learns to discern between right and wrong. Studying moral development is critical since it is essential to human growth and evolution across the lifespan. Comprehending the concept and its stages allows humans to improve parenting styles and education and introduce positive societal changes. Pre-conventional, conventional, and post-conventional moralities relate to moral development levels, and each includes two stages.
References
5 stages of moral growth of children. (2021). AskDrSears. Web.
Cherry, K. (2022). Kohlberg’s theory of moral development. VeryWellMind. Web.
Kail, R. V., & Cavanaugh, J. C. (2018). Human development: A life span (8th ed.). Cengage.
Killen, M., & Dahl, A. (2021). Moral reasoning enables developmental and societal change. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 16(6), 1209-1225. Web.
Vinney, C. (2021). Kohlberg’s stages of moral development. ThoughtCo. Web.