Question

Kurt's friend Friedrich steals an iPad from another student in their dorm. Kurt decides to tell the police what Friedrich did because Kurt thinks that stealing the iPad was against the law. This reasoning reveals that Kurt is most likely in the _________ stage of moral development. a. preconventional b. postconventional c. unconventional d. conventional

Short answer

d. conventional

Step-by-step solution

Understand the stages of moral development

First, let's understand each stage of moral development briefly: a. Preconventional: Based on consequences and personal interests b. Postconventional: Based on principles, ethics, and social contracts c. Unconventional: This is not a stage in the theory of moral development. d. Conventional: Based on compliance with social norms and expectations

Analyze Kurt's reason to tell the police

Kurt's decision to report the theft is driven by the belief that stealing is against the law. This shows his adherence to social norms and expectations.

Determine the correct stage for Kurt

Since Kurt's reasoning revolves around following the law, which represents social norms and expectations, his moral development is most likely in the 'conventional' stage. Answer: d. conventional

Key concepts

Moral Reasoning

Moral reasoning is the process by which individuals construct their ethical judgments and decisions. It's based on personal values, societal norms, and, often, a set of logical, coherent principles that govern one's actions. Understanding moral reasoning is crucial in assessing how people like Kurt in the classroom exercise make ethical choices.

What is noteworthy about moral reasoning is the way it develops over time. Educational psychologist Lawrence Kohlberg outlined a theory of moral development in three broad levels—preconventional, conventional, and postconventional—with several stages within each level.

On Kohlberg's Scale

At the preconventional level, children base their moral decisions on external consequences or rewards. They think in terms of punishment or self-interest. As they grow and their reasoning matures to the conventional level—the stage Kurt is likely in—they begin to consider societal norms and the law. Lastly, at the postconventional level, people make decisions based on ethical principles and sometimes even choose to disregard laws if they conflict with these principles.

For a more palpable understanding, imagine the situation where a child, Sarah, decides not to take a cookie from the jar because she fears being scolded. Her decision is based on fear of punishment—a preconventional form of reasoning. When Kurt, on the other hand, confronts theft by reporting the incident due to his respect for the law, he exemplifies conventional moral reasoning.

Social Norms

Social norms are implicit rules within a society or group that dictate acceptable behavior and belief systems. These norms can be powerful motivators for how individuals act within a social context, and they represent a significant factor in conventional moral development.

Social norms are mostly learned through socialization and vary greatly from culture to culture and even among different groups within the same society. For example, it's a broadly held social norm that one should not take what does not belong to them. This covers the act of stealing an iPad as in the exercise with Kurt and Friedrich.

Setting Standards

These norms set standards for 'correct' behavior, and deviations from these standards may lead to social sanctions like disapproval, ostracism, or in Kurt's situation, legal repercussions. By choosing to inform the police, Kurt is aligning with the social norm that says stealing is wrong, and he's actively participating in upholding the norm by reporting the violation.

Ethical Principles

Ethical principles are the foundations of moral reasoning at the most advanced level. They are broad concepts that guide our decisions in ways that we consider to be morally right or virtuous. Notions such as justice, respect for others, the greater good, and individual rights fall under this domain.

These principles become central in the postconventional stage of moral development where individuals utilize them to go beyond societal norms and laws. A person at this stage will weigh the morality of a law or rule against their internal principles, which may result in decisions that defy the conventions but uphold one's ethical beliefs.

Beyond the Law

For instance, a whistleblower might expose corporate wrongdoings even though it might go against company loyalty—a norm—because their principle of truth and the common good takes higher priority. However, Kurt's decision to report the theft, based on the consequences dictated by the law, does not touch upon these intrinsic ethical principles that would typify postconventional moral reasoning.