Please look at Kohlberg\'s Stages of Moral Development to complete the homework.
ID: 99404 • Letter: P
Question
Please look at Kohlberg's Stages of Moral Development to complete the homework.
Handout Identifying Levels of Moral Reasoning
Identify the levels of moral reasoning in each of the following.
Identify 2 reasons the characters SHOULD have made the choices they made and 2 reasons why they should NOT have made the choices they made.
Identify the Kohlberg levels associated with the reasons.
1. Sean's alarm didn't go off this morning (or he forgot to set it), and now he is running late for his 8:00 psychology class. To make matters worse, the first test in psychology is scheduled for this morning and he remembers that Dr. Woods had clearly stated at the beginning of the semester that no one would be admitted late to an exam. Right now it’s 7:45 and Sean is still 10 miles from school on a two-lane country highway. He realizes that if he still tries to make it to class on time, he will have to speed. He will also have to pass slower cars on a narrow, winding highway with limited visibility and considerable traffic; he could be placing himself and others at risk. If he decides not to speed, he will be late and will have to accept the consequences from Dr. Woods, which could include an "F" on the test After thinking about the dilemma for a moment, he puts his foot on the gas in an attempt to make it by 8:00.
2. Brian is really having difficulty on his organic chemistry exam. He is absolutely stumped on one of the problems, and he can feel his level of anxiety rising rapidly. He knows that if he can't pass this one exam, he won't pass the class. If he can't pass this class, he won't be getting into medical school. It will be the end of a life-long dream. Suddenly, he realizes that he can see Rochelle's test paper clearly. She's the best student in class and certainly has the right answer. He quickly and discretely copies her answer and then sighs a big sigh of relief.
Explanation / Answer
Kohlberg's stages of moral development are arranged in three levels: pre-conventional, conventional and post cincentuonal. They are listed below,
Level 1 (pre-conventional):
Level 2 (conventional):
Level 3 (post conventional):
1. Sean is in the level 1 (pre-conventional) moral reasoning stage. Sean made the choice of speeding and reaching the school because the teacher will not allow him late entry for exams and therefore he will receive F in tests. By speeding, Sean is putting not only his life but also others at risk.
2) Brian is in level 2 (conventional) moral reasoning stage. Brian copied from another student because he thought he would fail in exams if he did not write the answer to the question and therefore he will not be able to enter medical school. Brian should not have done this from ethical point of view as this would affect the chance of other deserving person to enter a medical school.