AdolescenceMorality & StagesBy Krystal Pimentel

Key PointsPre-conventional Moral Reasoning

Conventional moral reasoning

Post-Conventional Morality

Pre-conventional Moral Reasoning

Stage 1Obedience or Punishment Orientation

Stage 2Self-Interest Orientation

This is the stage that all young children start at and a few adults remain in.

Rules are seen as being fixed and absolute. Obeying the rules is important because it means avoiding punishment.

"The last time I did that I got spanked so I will not do it again."

As children grow older, they begin to see that other people have their own goals and preferences and that often there is room for negotiation.

Decisions are made based on the principle of "What's in it for me?"

"If I do what mom or dad wants me to do, they will reward me. Therefore I will do it.”

"you scratch my back, and I'll scratch yours."

Pre-conventional Moral Reasoning

Conventional moral reasoning

Stage 3Social Conformity Orientation

Stage 4Law and Order Orientation

By adolescence, most individuals have developed to this stage.

There is a sense of what "good boys" and "nice girls" do and the emphasis is on living up to social expectations and norms because of how they impact day-to-day relationships.

“I want to be liked and thought well of; apparently, not being naughty makes people like me.”

By the time individuals reach adulthood, they usually consider society as a whole when making judgments.

The focus is on maintaining law and order by following the rules, doing one's duty and respecting authority.

Conventional moral reasoning

Post-Conventional Morality

Stage 5Social Contract Orientation

Stage 6Universal Ethics Orientation

At this stage, people understand that there are differing opinions out there on what is right and wrong and that laws are really just a social contract based on majority decision and inevitable compromise.

People at this stage sometimes disobey rules if they find them to be inconsistent with their personal values and will also argue for certain laws to be changed if they are no longer "working".

Our modern democracies are based on this reasoning.

Few people operate at this stage all the time.

It is based on abstract reasoning and the ability to put oneself in other people's shoes.

People have a principled conscience and will follow universal ethical principles regardless of what the official laws and rules are.

Post-Conventional Morality

Lawrence Kohlberg (October 25, 1927 – January 19, 1987) Professor at The University of Chicago &

Harvard UniversityHaving specialized in research on moral

education and reasoning, he is best known for his theory of stages of moral development.

Created a new field within psychology: "moral development".

Kohlberg was found to be the 30th most eminent psychologist of the 20th century.[1]

Erik Erikson (15 June 1902 – 12 May 1994) Known for his theory on social

development of human beings. He may be most famous for

coining the phrase identity crisis. Although Erikson lacked even a

bachelor's degree, he served as a professor of prominent institutions such as Harvard and Yale.

Age VirtuesPsycho Social Crisis

Significant Relationship

Existential Question Examples

infant -18 months Hopes Trust vs.

Mistrust Mother Can I Trust The World?

Feeding, Abandonment

18 month-3 years Will

Autonomy vs. Shame & Doubt

Parents Is It Ok To Be Me?

Toilet Training, Clothing Themselves

3-5 years Purpose Initiative vs. Guilt Family

Is It Ok For Me To Do, Move and Act?

Exploring, Using Tools or Making Art

5-13 years Competence Industry vs. Inferiority

Neighbors, School

Can I Make It In The World Of People And Things?

School, Sports

13-21years Fidelity Identity vs. Role Confusion

Peers, Role Model

Who Am I? What Can I Be?

Social Relationships

21-40 years Love Intimacy vs. Isolation

Friends, Partners Can I Love? Romantic

Relationships

41-65 years Care Generativity vs. Stagnation

Household, Workmates

Can I Make My Life Count?

Work, Parenthood

65-and on Wisdom Ego Integrity vs. Despair

Mankind, My Kind

Is It Ok To Have Been Me?

Reflection on Life

Sourceshttp://www.usefulcharts.com/inde

x.htmlThinking About Psychology The

Science of Mid and Behavior (Second Edition)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lawrence_Kohlberg

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erikson%27s_stages_of_psychosocial_development