Question

Why was Carol Gilligan critical of Kohlberg's theory of moral development?

Short answer

Carol Gilligan was critical of Kohlberg's theory of moral development due to its heavy reliance on male subjects in his research, and the emphasis on justice over relationships and care in moral decision-making. She argued that his theory did not sufficiently account for the role of caring and relationships in moral development, particularly for women.

Step-by-step solution

Understanding Kohlberg's Theory

Lawrence Kohlberg proposed a theory of moral development that consists of three levels: pre-conventional, conventional, and post-conventional, each of which are further divided into two stages. According to Kohlberg, individuals progress through these stages in a fixed order, with moral judgement and reasoning undergoing transformation at each stage.

Understanding Gilligan's Perspective

Carol Gilligan, a psychologist, noticed and critiqued Kohlberg's theory. She observed that Kohlberg's research was biased as his samples included mostly male subjects. Furthermore, she challenged the progression and the universality of stages presented in Kohlberg's theory.

Gilligan's Critique of Kohlberg's Theory

Gilligan argued that Kohlberg's stages of moral development were male-oriented, with an emphasis on justice. She proposed that women tend to focus more on relationships and care when making moral decisions, therefore introducing a different perspective on moral development. Gilligan's critique essentially questions the gender bias and the rigid stage structure of moral development in Kohlberg's theory.