Module 2: Lesson 3

MORAL DEVELOPMENT
 The notions of morality
development have been developed
over centuries, the earliest came from
philosophers like Confucius, Aristotle,
and Rousseau, who all took a more
humanist perspective and focused on
the development of the conscience
and sense of virtue.
Moral Development

It focuses on the emergence,

change, and understanding
of morality from infancy through
adulthood.
 Morality develops across a lifetime
and is influenced by an individual's
experiences and their behavior when
faced with moral issues through different
periods‘ of physical and cognitive
development.
 Morality in itself is often a
synonym for rightness or goodness. It
refers to a certain code of conduct
that is derived from one's culture,
religion or personal philosophy that
guides one's actions, behaviors and
thoughts.
 In the modern day, empirical
research has explored morality
through a moral psychology lens by
theorists like Sigmund Freud and its
relation to cognitive development by
theorists like Jean Piaget, Lawrence
Kohlberg, and B. F. Skinner.
 Levels of Moral Reasoning

➢ Pre-conventional
➢ Conventional
➢ Post-conventional
Pre-conventional Level

It is where a child’s sense of

morality is externally controlled.
Children accept and believe the
rules of authority figures, such as
parents and teachers.
 Stages of Pre-conventional Level of
Moral Reasoning

Stage 1

Obedience/Punishment Orientation

Stage 2

Instrumental Orientation
Stage 1 Obedience/Punishment
Orientation

It focuses on the child’s desire to

obey rules and avoid being punished.
For example, an action is perceived as
morally wrong because the
perpetrator is punished; the worse the
punishment for the act is, the more
bad the act is perceived to be.
Stage 2: Instrumental Orientation

It expresses the what’s in it for me?

position, in which right behavior is
defined by whatever the individual
believes to be in their best interest.
 Stage two reasoning shows a
limited interest in the needs of others,
only to the point where it might further
the individual’s own interests.
Conventional Level

It is where a child’s sense of

morality is tied to personal and
societal relationships. Children
continue to accept the rules of
authority figures, but this is now due
to their belief that this is necessary to
ensure positive relationships and
societal order.
Stages of Conventional Level of Moral
Reasoning

Stage 1

Good Boy / Good Girl Orientation

Stage 2

Law and Order Orientation

Stage 1: Good Boy / Good Girl
Orientation

In this stage, children wants the

approval of others and act in ways to
avoid disapproval. Emphasis is placed
on good behavior and people being
nice to others.
Stage 2: Law and Order Orientation

In this stage, the child blindly

accepts rules and convention
because of their importance in
maintaining a functioning society.
 Rules are seen as being the same
for everyone, and obeying rules by
doing what one is supposed to do is
seen as valuable and important.
Post-conventional Level

It is where a person’s sense of

morality is defined in terms of more
abstract principles and values.
People now believe that some laws
are unjust and should be changed
or eliminated.
 Stages of Post-conventional Level of
Moral Reasoning

Stage 1

Social Contract Orientation

Stage 2

Universal Ethical Orientation

Stage 1: Social Contract Orientation

In this stage, the world is viewed

as holding different opinions, rights,
and values. Such perspectives should
be mutually respected as unique to
each person or community. Laws are
regarded as social contracts rather
than rigid edicts.
Stage 2: Universal-Ethical-Principal
Orientation

In this stage, moral reasoning is

based on abstract reasoning using
universal ethical principles. Generally,
the chosen principles are abstract
rather than concrete and focus on
ideas such as equality, dignity, or
respect.
Conscience

It refers to the inner sense or

consciousness of the moral goodness
or blameworthiness of one’s own
conduct, intentions, or character
together with a feeling of obligation to
do right or to be good.
Conscience-Based Moral Decision

In this way, the individual acts

because it is morally right to do so
and not because he or she wants to
avoid punishment, it is in their best
interest, it is expected, it is legal, or it
is previously agreed upon.
 In this type of decision, laws are
valid only insofar as they are
grounded in justice, and a
commitment to justice carries with it,
and an obligation to disobey unjust
laws.