Question 1

Each level in Kohlberg's theory of the development of moral reasoning is based on the degree to which a person:

Accepted Answer

Kohlberg's theory of moral development focuses on the evolution of moral reasoning, which progresses through stages. At each level, individuals base their moral decisions more on conforming to societal standards and the expectations of others than on personal interests or fear of punishment.

Question 2

Carol Gilligan's main criticism of Kohlberg's theory of moral development is that it:

Accepted Answer

Carol Gilligan's main criticism of Kohlberg's theory is that it reflects a male perspective and may not accurately depict the development of moral reasoning in women. Gilligan argued that women tend to prioritize relationships and emphasize care and responsibility more than individual rights and justice. She suggested that Kohlberg's theory was biased towards a masculine perspective, which may have led to an inaccurate assessment of moral development in women.

Question 3

When 9-year-old Jacob is asked by his mother to tidy up his room and put his toys away, he does what he is told because he knows that she will give him a special treat afterwards. Kohlberg would say that Jacob is operating at the _____ level of moral reasoning.

Accepted Answer

According to Kohlberg's theory of moral development, preconventional morality is the stage in which children make decisions based on the consequences of their actions. Jacob's decision to tidy up his room in order to receive a treat demonstrates this level of reasoning.

Question 4

Renee likes helping her teacher with classroom chores, and enjoys the praise she gets for being a good student and for following the rules set by her teacher so as to win her approval. Kohlberg would say that Renee is operating at the _____ level of moral reasoning.

Accepted Answer

According to Kohlberg's theory of moral development, the conventional level of moral reasoning is characterized by a focus on pleasing others, following societal norms and rules, and gaining approval from authority figures. Renee's behavior of following the rules to win her teacher's approval fits within this level. The preoperational stage refers to Piaget's theory of cognitive development, and the preconventional and postconventional levels are part of Kohlberg's theory of moral development, but do not apply to the given scenario.

Question 5

In Kohlberg's theory of the development of moral reasoning, the preconventional level is characterized by:

Accepted Answer

Kohlberg's preconventional level of moral reasoning is focused on self-interest and avoiding punishment, as well as maximizing personal gain. The individual at this level may not fully understand societal norms and rules, and may make decisions based solely on what benefits them personally.

Question 6

Regarding Erikson's conclusions about identity development in adolescence, psychological research has shown that:

Accepted Answer

Psychological research has shown that personal identity development begins in adolescence but continues to evolve throughout the lifespan. Identity formation is a complex process that involves exploration and commitment to various roles and values, and it can be influenced by cultural, social, and individual factors. Erikson's theory provides a useful framework for understanding the challenges and opportunities of adolescence, but it should be considered in a broader context of developmental, social, and cultural influences.

Question 7

Scianna is a normal, healthy, 47-year-old man. In general he can expect his physical stamina, strength, and reaction time to:

Accepted Answer

It is normal for physical stamina, strength, and reaction time to gradually decline as one ages. While regular exercise and a healthy lifestyle can help slow down the decline, it is still a natural process of aging. Therefore, option C is the best choice in this scenario.

Question 8

Kohlberg and his colleagues eventually dropped stage six from his theory of moral reasoning because:

Accepted Answer

Kohlberg and his colleagues dropped stage six from his theory of moral reasoning because longitudinal research showed that none of the participants showed stage six moral reasoning, and clear-cut expressions of "universal moral principles" are very rare.

Question 9

In Kohlberg's theory of the development of moral reasoning, the conventional level is characterized by:

Accepted Answer

The conventional level, according to Kohlberg's theory, is characterized by the development of moral reasoning guided by conformity to social roles, rules, obligations, and expectations. This level is often seen in adolescence and adulthood, where individuals become aware of the importance of law and order in society and adhere to norms and expectations to maintain social order. Thus, option C is the correct choice.

Question 10

Lawrence Kohlberg is best known for:

Accepted Answer

Lawrence Kohlberg is best known for proposing an influential theory of moral development, which consists of six stages of moral reasoning that individuals go through as they mature. His theory is based on the idea that moral development is a gradual and continuous process that occurs throughout the lifespan, and is influenced by both internal factors (such as cognitive development) and external factors (such as cultural norms and socialization).

Question 11

The three distinct levels of moral reasoning that Kohlberg proposed are:

Accepted Answer

Kohlberg proposed three distinct levels of moral reasoning: preconventional, conventional, and postconventional. Within each level, there are two stages, making a total of six stages of moral reasoning. The preconventional level involves a focus on obedience and punishment, as well as individualism and exchange. The conventional level involves a focus on interpersonal relationships and maintaining social expectations. The postconventional level involves a focus on societal values and individual rights and ethics.

Question 12

Moral reasoning is defined as the aspect of cognitive development:

Accepted Answer

Moral reasoning specifically refers to the cognitive processes involved in making decisions about what is right and wrong, good and bad, in ethical or moral situations. It is not related to egocentrism or basic learning processes, and is not specifically tied to the resolution of the ego integrity versus despair conflict in Erikson's theory of psychosocial development.

Question 13

Cross-cultural psychologists have noted that:

Accepted Answer

This statement aligns with the general understanding of cultural differences between collectivistic and individualistic cultures. Collectivistic cultures tend to prioritize group harmony, cooperation, and obligations to the group, whereas individualistic cultures prioritize autonomy, independence, and individual rights.

Question 14

The postconventional level in Kohlberg's theory of moral reasoning is characterized by moral reasoning:

Accepted Answer

The postconventional level in Kohlberg's theory of moral reasoning is characterized by moral reasoning that is guided by internalized legal and moral principles that protect the rights of all members of society. It goes beyond the expectations of social roles and rules and is focused on upholding universally applicable ethical principles. Therefore, option D is the most appropriate choice.

Question 15

Physical strength tends to peak in:

Accepted Answer

Physical strength generally reaches its peak between the ages of 20 and 30, which is considered early adulthood. As people age beyond their 30s, their physical strength tends to decline gradually. Adolescence is a time of rapid physical growth but not necessarily the peak of physical strength. Late adulthood is characterized by a decline in physical abilities due to aging. Therefore, option B) best describes the peak of physical strength.

Question 16

Carol Gilligan's theory of moral development in women stressed the importance of:

Accepted Answer

Carol Gilligan's theory emphasizes the significance of the ethic of care and responsibility in moral development in women. She believed that women's approach to moral decision-making differs from men's because it focuses more on relationships and connectedness. Therefore, option A is the correct answer. Option B is associated with Lawrence Kohlberg's theory of moral development, which focused on the ethic of individual rights and justice. Option C is also relevant, as Gilligan stressed the influence of cultural factors in shaping women's morality, but it is not the primarily emphasized aspect of her theory. Option D is not supported by Gilligan's theory, which focuses on socialization and experience rather than on innate genetic factors.

Question 17

While researching a paper for his course in developmental psychology, Kiran read about a theorist who proposed that the development of moral reasoning involves distinct stages that unfold in an age-related step-by-step fashion. This theorist is:

Accepted Answer

Lawrence Kohlberg is the theorist known for his stages of moral development, which propose that individuals progress through increasingly complex stages of moral reasoning as they mature.

Question 18

Moral reasoning at the _____ level of Kohlberg's theory is characterized by the idea that "right" is being a "good" person and that conforming to social expectations and following rules set by others will win their approval.

Accepted Answer

This is because at the conventional level of Kohlberg's theory, individuals place a great emphasis on conforming to social norms and expectations. They see morality as societal rules and strive to avoid disapproval and maintain social order. This reflects the idea of being a "good" person by adhering to the expectations set by others.

Question 19

Nicholas is 15 years old. Talking with his friends, he says, "Sometimes I think I would like to be a scientist, someone who makes discoveries that help people. Then I think that maybe a career in politics or medicine is more my style. I can't decide whether I should study pre-med, pre-law, or maybe microbiology." It is likely that Nicholas is in the _____ of identity development.

Accepted Answer

Nicholas is currently in the moratorium period, which is characterized by exploring different identity options and being unsure about which direction to take. This is a normal part of identity development in adolescence. The generativity phase and ego integrity stage occur later in life, while the integrated identity stage is reached after successfully navigating the identity crisis during the moratorium period.

Question 20

Frank always buys a fishing license before going fishing because authorities established the fishing laws. He believes laws should be obeyed. In terms of Kohlberg's theory, Frank is at the _____ level of moral reasoning.

Accepted Answer

Frank's belief that laws should be obeyed indicates that he is at the conventional level of moral reasoning. In this level, individuals value authority and societal norms, and their moral decisions are based on maintaining the social order and pleasing others. Frank's decision to buy a fishing license is in line with this level.

Quiz 9: Section 2: Lifespan Development