Question 1

When presented with Kohlberg's well-known Heinz dilemma, McKenzie's response is, "It is against the law to steal. The husband should find another way to get the drug." McKenzie is in which stage of moral development?

Accepted Answer

McKenzie's response focuses on the importance of following the law and finding a legal solution, which aligns with Kohlberg's stage of social systems morality. This stage emphasizes understanding and maintaining the social order by respecting laws and obligations.

Question 2

During what age period do children transition between Piaget's heteronomous and autonomous morality?

Accepted Answer

Piaget believed that the transition between heteronomous morality, which is characterized by a strict adherence to rules and punishment by authorities, and autonomous morality, which is characterized by an understanding of rules as social agreements that can be questioned and modified, occurs between the ages of 7 and 10 years old.

Question 3

Young children believe that when a rule is broken, punishment will follow inevitably. This is a belief in

Accepted Answer

Immanent justice refers to the belief that there is a direct relationship between a person's actions and the consequences they face. Young children often hold this belief, thinking that if a rule is broken, punishment will follow inevitably.

Question 4

Allan is visiting a country where it is illegal to give money to panhandlers, but he feels such pangs of conscience that he ignores the law and gives freely to the impoverished children begging for food. Which moral stage does this demonstrate?

Accepted Answer

This demonstrates the universal ethical principles stage, where individuals act based on their own personal ethical principles and values, disregarding societal norms or laws that conflict with their beliefs.

Question 5

Which dimension of moral development regulates social interactions and arbitrates conflict?

Accepted Answer

The dimension of moral development that regulates social interactions and arbitrates conflict is interpersonal, as it involves understanding and adhering to social rules and norms, resolving conflicts in a fair and just manner, and developing a sense of empathy and concern for others. Intrapersonal involves personal values and self-reflection, community involves understanding and valuing the needs of a larger group, and cultural involves understanding and respecting diverse cultural norms and values.

Question 6

Abby slows down when she sees a police car on the road, because she doesn't want to get a speeding ticket. What stage of Kohlberg's morality does this demonstrate?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Abby slows down when she sees a...

Question 7

A person arrested for robbery states, "I stole the documents, and I am willing to pay my dues, but at least now the public is safer having this important safety information that the company was concealing." Which moral level does this statement reflect?

Accepted Answer

The statement reflects a postconventional moral level as the person is taking into consideration the greater good of exposing important safety information, even though they committed a crime. They are willing to face the consequences of their actions but also believe that their actions were justified in serving the greater good.

Question 8

Changes in thoughts, feelings, and behaviors regarding standards of right and wrong are termed

Accepted Answer

Changes in thoughts, feelings, and behaviors regarding standards of right and wrong are termed moral development. It refers to the progressive and continuous growth of an individual's understanding of right and wrong, conscience, values, and ethical conduct.

Question 9

Carter spills his orange juice while playing at the table. He refutes his punishment by insisting that the incident was an accident. Carter is displaying

Accepted Answer

Carter is displaying autonomous morality, where he understands that rules can be flexible and considers intentions behind actions rather than just consequences.

Question 10

When children think of justice and rules as unchangeable properties of the world that are out of the control of people, they are displaying

Accepted Answer

Heteronomous morality is the stage of moral reasoning in which children view rules as unchangeable, external factors that are determined by authority figures (such as parents or teachers). This stage is typically seen in children aged 7-10 years old, and is characterized by a belief in punishment for breaking rules and a desire to please authority figures. Therefore, when children think of justice and rules as unchangeable properties of the world that are out of the control of people, they are displaying heteronomous morality.

Question 11

According to Piaget, parent-child relations are less likely to foster moral development than peer relations, because

Accepted Answer

Piaget believed that moral development is best fostered in an environment where rules can be discussed and negotiated rather than being strictly imposed. He argued that peer relations are more conducive to this type of interaction because they are more egalitarian, whereas parents are more likely to hand down rules and punishment in an authoritarian way, which does not encourage the child to understand and internalize moral principles in the same manner.

Question 12

At which stage of Kohlberg's theory does a person reason that values, rights, and principles transcend the law?

Accepted Answer

In stage 5 of Kohlberg's theory, also known as the social contract or utility and individual rights stage, individuals recognize that laws are social agreements that can be changed if they do not promote the general welfare or protect individual rights. They also believe that values, rights, and principles are more important than the law itself. Therefore, this is the stage at which a person reasons that values, rights, and principles transcend the law.

Question 13

When children become aware that rules and laws are created by people, and can judge action by considering the actor's intentions as well as the consequences, they are displaying

Accepted Answer

The statement describes the concept of autonomous morality, which is when individuals understand that rules and laws are created by people and can consider both the intentions of the actor and the consequences when judging an action. This typically develops in adolescence. Immanent justice (A) is the belief that any violation of rules will result in immediate punishment, regardless of the intentions or circumstances. Homonomous morality (B) is characteristic of young children and is based on the belief that rules are set by an authority figure and cannot be changed. Heteronomous morality (C) is also characteristic of young children and involves a belief that rules are set by an authority figure, but can be changed if that authority figure allows it.

Question 14

Cassidy's mother is angry when she discovers writing on the bedroom door. Cassidy replies, "But it is not right to invade one's privacy. I'm writing the note on the door to remind everyone of this universal human right." Cassidy is exhibiting

Accepted Answer

Cassidy's response shows an understanding of universal human rights, which is consistent with postconventional reasoning. This stage of moral development goes beyond societal norms and values to focus on universal ethical principles.

Question 15

Brent argues that laws should only exist to preserve and protect fundamental human rights. Brent seems to be at which of Kohlberg's stages of moral development?

Accepted Answer

Brent's belief that laws should only exist to protect fundamental human rights aligns with the social contract or utility and individual rights stage of Kohlberg's moral development. In this stage, individuals view laws as an agreement among members of society to uphold the greater good and protect individual rights. The focus is on the purpose and function of laws, rather than strict adherence to authority or personal gain.

Question 16

Taetem is interviewed while participating in a protest. Taetem states that she has the right to express her opinion, but so does anyone else who disagrees with her. Which moral level does Taetem's statement reflect?

Accepted Answer

Taetem's statement reflects the postconventional moral level, which emphasizes individual rights and universal ethical principles. She acknowledges that others have a right to their own opinions, even if they disagree with hers. This shows an understanding of the complexity of moral reasoning and the importance of respecting different perspectives.

Question 17

Ellie's mom bumps into her, and Ellie's juice is spilled as a result. Since Ellie spilled her juice, she's expecting her mom to yell at her, but is surprised when she receives no punishment. Ellie believed in

Accepted Answer

Ellie's belief that her mom would yell at her for spilling her juice suggests that she subscribes to the concept of immanent justice: the belief that people get what they deserve, and bad things happen to people who do bad things. In this case, Ellie spilled her juice, and according to immanent justice, she should experience negative consequences, such as punishment from her mom. However, when Ellie does not receive punishment despite spilling her juice, she is surprised, suggesting that she at least partially believes in immanent justice.

Question 18

Trenton suggests a rule change to a game he and his friends are playing. His friends agree, and they play with the new rules. According to Piaget, Trenton and his friends show

Accepted Answer

Trenton suggesting a rule change and his friends agreeing to it shows autonomous morality, as they are basing their decision on their own internalized sense of right and wrong, rather than external authorities or rules. Heteronomous morality would involve following rules without question, and relativistic morality would involve recognizing the possibility of differing perspectives on what is right or wrong. Immanent justice would involve a belief in immediate karma or punishment for moral transgressions, which is not relevant in this scenario.

Question 19

Mack's brother suggests they change the rules of the game they are playing. Mack protests and insists that rule-changing is not allowed. Mack is

Accepted Answer

Mack's insistence that rule-changing is not allowed suggests that he adheres to a heteronomous moral perspective, in which rules are seen as external dictates that must be followed without deviation, rather than as guidelines that can be modified through mutual agreement between players.

Question 20

What main method did Kohlberg use to evaluate moral reasoning?

Accepted Answer

Kohlberg used interviews to learn children's reactions to moral dilemma stories. He presented participants with hypothetical moral dilemmas and asked them open-ended questions about what they would do and why. He was interested in understanding the reasoning behind participants' moral decisions, rather than just their personal moral behavior.

Quiz 13: Moral Development, Values, and Religion