Moral Development is "the feeling, thoughts, and concerns" one experiences throughout one's life . This theory was developed by Lawrence Kohlberg. There are three fractions of moral development, moral reasoning, moral behavior, and moral emotions. When someone experiences moral conviction it is typically because of the process of the three moral fractions. Within the fractions there are many similarities, but there are also some notable differences (Winsor, Murrell, & Magun-Jackson, 2014).
Moral Reasoning
Moral Reasoning ask all the "how" and "why" questions.
Jean Piaget's Theory of Moral Development
-Jean Piaget is also a moral development theorist whom felt that children think about rules in two ways
- the concept of justice with children was also tested by reading them two stories and described two conflicts and asking the "why" questions; the answers received heavily depended on cognitive development - example of the two conflicts:
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Two Stages of Jean Piaget's moral reasoning:
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Kohlberg's Theory of Moral Development
- this theory was created off of the ideas of Piaget
-Lawrence Kohlberg's theory is different because his focus is centered on the lifespan development of human life not just children
- this theory helps one to understand that although morality is experienced at a young age people of all ages still face moral problems
- the stages of Kohlberg's Theory are pictured ---->
- this theory was created off of the ideas of Piaget
-Lawrence Kohlberg's theory is different because his focus is centered on the lifespan development of human life not just children
- this theory helps one to understand that although morality is experienced at a young age people of all ages still face moral problems
- the stages of Kohlberg's Theory are pictured ---->
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Limitations to Kohlberg's Theory
- underestimates young children - the stages don't properly accommodate both children and adults at the same time Social Domain Theory Applied to Education
- Elliot Turiel took note of why children are responsive to rules -felt that children could not use levels of social- conventional,universal moral ideals |
Moral Behavior ---> |
Albert Bandura and B.F Skinner feel that reinforcement and observational learns coincide with moral behavior -Albert felt that children learn from personal experiences and vicariously S |
- Shame, guild, pride, gratitude are all examples of moral emotions
- we basis our thoughts on how others perceive us |
<---- Moral Emotions |
How will understanding moral development help me throughout my career? :
Throughout my career of nursing I feel that my entire career I am going to have to make moral decisions. The medical field is a practice within itself. Having knowledge about moral concepts help me to better apply the moral concepts I have gained throughout my lifetime. I feel that the job of a good nurse is to do whats best for you and the patient. I feel that it is very important that I am able to morally do what is best, at all times.
Throughout my career of nursing I feel that my entire career I am going to have to make moral decisions. The medical field is a practice within itself. Having knowledge about moral concepts help me to better apply the moral concepts I have gained throughout my lifetime. I feel that the job of a good nurse is to do whats best for you and the patient. I feel that it is very important that I am able to morally do what is best, at all times.