Anushka Gupta - 054

A STUDY ON MORAL DEVELOPMENT
Submitted By
Name: Anushka
Gupta
Semester: 2
Enrollment
no.:
A91316623054
M.A Applied
Psychology
Batch: 2023 -
2025
Course Code: PHIL601

Course Title: Universal Human
Values
Under the supervision

of Dr. Rita
Karmakar Associate
Professor
WHAT IS MORAL DEVELOPMENT?
Moral development refers to the process

through which individuals acquire and
internalize moral values, beliefs, and
behaviors, shaping their understanding of
right and wrong.
Moral development encompasses the progression

from basic concepts of morality learned in childhood
to mor complex and nuanced ethical reasoning as
individuals mature. It involves cognitive, social, and
emotional factors influenced by cultural and
environmental contexts.
People develop moral understanding through a

combination of factors including observation,
socialization, cognitive development, and
experiences with moral dilemmas. They learn from
caregivers, peers, and societal norms, gradually
internalizing moral values and principles.
Moral development is crucial as it helps individuals

navigate ethical challenges, make responsible
decisions, and contribute positively to society. It
fosters empathy, integrity, and cooperation,
forming the foundation for a just and
compassionate community.
Piaget’s Theory of Moral
Development
Piaget's theory of moral development emphasizes cognitive development as the
basis for moral reasoning. He proposed two stages: the heteronomous (or moral
realism) stage, where morality is viewed as dictated by external authorities and
rules are seen as unchangeable, and the autonomous (or moral relativism) stage,
where individuals develop an understanding of moral rules as flexible and based
on mutual agreement. Piaget believed that children gradually transition from
the former to the latter stage as they mature cognitively.
Heteronomous Phase
During the heteronomous phase, children see rules as fixed and
dictated by authority figures. They view moral decisions as black-
and-white, with little room for negotiation or understanding of
others' perspectives. Punishment is seen as inevitable for rule-
breaking, and moral judgments are based on the consequences of
actions rather than intentions.
Autonomous
Phase
In the autonomous phase of Piaget's theory of moral
development, individuals understand that moral rules are
flexible and can be negotiated based on mutual agreement.
They recognize the importance of intentions behind actions
and consider context when making moral judgments. This
stage reflects a more mature and independent moral reasoning
process compared to the earlier heteronomous phase.
KOHLBERG’S THEORY OF MORAL DEVELOPMENT
Kohlberg's theory of moral development

outlines six stages grouped into three levels:
pre- conventional, conventional, and post-
conventional. He proposed that individuals
progress through these stages as they mature,
with moral reasoning becoming more complex
and principled. Kohlberg emphasized the
importance of reasoning behind moral
decisions, rather than just focusing on
behavior.
Criticisms:-
Moral reasoning does not equal moral behavior: Kohlberg's
theory is concerned with moral thinking, but there is a big
difference between knowing what we ought to do versus our
actual actions.
Overemphasizes justice: Critics have pointed out that Kohlberg's
theory of moral development overemphasizes the concept of
justice when making moral choices.
Cultural bias: Individualist cultures emphasize personal rights,
while collectivist cultures stress the importance of society and
community.
Gender bias: Kohlberg's critics, including Carol Gilligan, have
LITERATURE REVIEW
1.Gilligan, C. (1982) - "In a Different Voice: Psychological
Theory and Women's Development": Gilligan's critique of
Kohlberg's theory highlights gender differences in moral
development and proposes an alternative perspective
emphasizing care-based ethics.
2.Eisenberg, N. (1992) - "The Development of Prosocial
Behavior": This literature review explores factors
influencing the development of prosocial behavior,
including empathy, moral reasoning, and socialization
processes.
3. Nucci, L. (2OO1) - "Education in the Moral Domain":
Nucci's work discusses the role of education in fostering
moral development, examining the effectiveness of
various approaches in promoting moral understanding
and behavior in children.
4. Kohlberg, L. (1984) - "The Psychology of Moral
Development: The Nature and Validity of Moral Stages":
Kohlberg's seminal work outlines his theory of moral
development, highlighting the progression of moral
reasoning through six stages across three levels.
5. Piaget, J. (1932) - "The Moral Judgment of the Child":
Piaget's early work laid the foundation for understanding
moral development, emphasizing cognitive development as
the basis for moral reasoning.
LITERATURE REVIEW
1.Haidt, J. (2OO1) - "The Emotional Dog and Its Rational Tail: A

Social Intuitionist Approach to Moral Judgment": Haidt's review
presents a social intuitionist model of moral judgment, emphasizing
the role of emotions and intuitions in moral decision-making.
2.Eisenberg, N., & Spinrad, T. L. (2O14) - "Prosocial Development":

This review explores the development of prosocial behavior, including
empathy, altruism, and moral reasoning, highlighting the role of
socialization, temperament, and situational factors.
3.Rest, J. R. (1986) - "Moral Development: Advances in Research

and Theory": Rest's comprehensive review discusses recent
advances in moral development research, including critiques of
existing theories and emerging perspectives on moral reasoning.
4.Blasi, A. (198O) - "Bridging Moral Cognition and Moral Action: A

Critical Review of the Literature": Blasi's review examines the gap
between moral cognition (thinking) and moral action (behavior),
exploring factors that influence individuals' ability to translate moral
principles into ethical behavior.
5.Killen, M., & Smetana, J. (2OO6)- "Handbook of Moral

Development": This handbook provides a comprehensive overview of
contemporary research on moral development, covering topics such
as cultural influences, moral reasoning, socialization processes, and
the development of moral identity.
CONCLUSION
Moral development refers to the process by which
individuals acquire the ability to understand and differentiate
between right and wrong, and develop a sense of morality.
Lawrence Kohlberg's theory of moral development outlines a
series of stages through which individuals progress, each
characterized by increasingly complex moral reasoning.
Kohlberg's stages are divided into three levels: pre-
conventional, conventional, and post-conventional,
representing different levels of moral understanding and
reasoning.
Jean Piaget, a renowned developmental psychologist,

proposed a cognitive-developmental theory of moral
development. Piaget suggested that children's moral
understanding evolves as they engage in cognitive
development and interact with their environment. He
identified two stages of moral development: heteronomous
morality, characterized by rigid adherence to rules and
authority, and autonomous morality, marked by recognition
of mutual respect and fairness in moral judgments.
I have also provided the work of 5 authors which look into

the moral development aspect, and all these works are
recent ones too.In summary, both Kohlberg and Piaget's
theories emphasize the importance of cognitive development
in moral reasoning and highlight the progression of moral
understanding through distinct stages of development.
Thank You !

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A STUDY ON MORAL DEVELOPMENT

Course Code: PHIL601

Under the supervision

Moral development refers to the process

Moral development encompasses the progression

People develop moral understanding through a

Moral development is crucial as it helps individuals

Kohlberg's theory of moral development

1.Haidt, J. (2OO1) - "The Emotional Dog and Its Rational Tail: A

2.Eisenberg, N., & Spinrad, T. L. (2O14) - "Prosocial Development":

3.Rest, J. R. (1986) - "Moral Development: Advances in Research

4.Blasi, A. (198O) - "Bridging Moral Cognition and Moral Action: A

5.Killen, M., & Smetana, J. (2OO6)- "Handbook of Moral

Jean Piaget, a renowned developmental psychologist,

I have also provided the work of 5 authors which look into

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