Kohlberg’s theory of development is concerned with:
2016
Kohlberg’s theory of development is concerned with:
Answer: C. Moral Development — Concept: A developmental theory is identified by the domain of change it maps. Kohlberg's stage theory maps moral reasoning — the grounds on which a person…
- A.
Language Development
- B.
Social Development
- C.
Moral Development
- D.
Physical Development
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Correct answer: C
Concept: A developmental theory is identified by the domain of change it maps. Kohlberg's stage theory maps moral reasoning — the grounds on which a person judges an act right or wrong — and it classifies the justification a person gives, not the choice the person makes.
The theory arranges that reasoning into three levels of two stages each, so the same decision can be scored at very different levels depending on the reason offered.
Level | Stages | Basis of judgement |
|---|---|---|
Pre-conventional | Punishment and obedience; instrumental exchange | Consequences to oneself |
Conventional | Interpersonal conformity; law and order | Approval of others and maintenance of social rules |
Post-conventional | Social contract; universal ethical principles | Self-chosen ethical principles |
Application: The stem asks which strand of development this theory describes. Its method — presenting moral dilemmas such as the Heinz dilemma and then classifying the reasons a respondent offers for the decision — measures growth in moral judgement, so the theory is concerned with moral development.
Contrast: The other strands of development named here are mapped by different criteria:
Language development — phonology, vocabulary, grammar and pragmatic use, from babbling to complex rule-governed sentences.
Social development — attachment, peer relationships, cooperation and role-taking within groups and institutions.
Physical development — body size and proportion together with gross and fine motor control.
Therefore Kohlberg's theory of development is concerned with moral development.