HUMAN DEVELOPMENT

MORAL AND EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT

 Definition
Moral Development
• Is the process through which children develop proper attitudes and
behaviors toward other people in society based on social and cultural
norms, rules and laws.
• Refers to the way children learn to determine what is right and what is
wrong.
 Piaget’s theory
• He explored how children develop moral reasoning by rejecting the idea that
children learn and internalize the rules and morals of society by being given
the rules and forced to adhere to them.
• He argues that children learn morality best by having to deal with others in
groups
• Moral development of a child falls into two categories as follows
1.Morality of realism
• Young children are concerned with outcomes rather than intentions
• This occurs at the age below 10 years, at this age moral is perceived as being
externally made and imposed, a child can not tell what is good or bad, or
what is wrong or right rather than wat his/her parents say.
• To the child rules are to be obeyed as presented and should not be modified.
 Theory cont…
2. Morality of co-operation
• Starts from 10 years and above
• Here rules are considered to be flexible and subject to change.
• Children look at motives behind actions rather than consequences of actions
and hence are able to examine rules, determining whether are are fair or
not.
• The best moral learning comes from cooperative decision making and
problem solving events.
• Hence believed that children develop moral reasoning quickly at an early
age.
 Kohlberg’s Theory
• He expanded on the earlier work of piaget in explaining moral development
of a child, which he believed follows a series of stages and hence proposed
three levels of moral development (each level has two distinct stages)
1. Pre-conventional level
• At this level a child’s sense of morality is externally controlled, children
accept and believe rules of authority figures such as parents and judge
actions based on consequences.
Stage I: Punishment- Obedience Orientation
• Focuses on Child’s desire to obey rules and avoid being punished.
• Rules are perceived to be right and should be followed, irrespective of the
circumstances.
 Theory cont…

• Stage II: Instrumental Orientation

• Expresses the “what’s in it for me?” position, where as the right behavior is
defined by what the individual believes to be in their best interest.
• In the child’s view what is right is what makes one happy.
• In this stage reasoning shows a limited interest in the needs of others.
 Theory cont…
2. Conventional level
• In this level, an individual’s sense of morality is tied to personal and society
relationships. The child's accept the rules of authority figures as they believe
it is necessary to ensure positive relationships.
Stage III: Good boy, Nice girl Orientation
• A child wants the approval of others and acts in ways to avoid disapproval.
• They also tend to conform to the opinion of the majority.
• Emphasis is placed on good behavior and people being nice to others
Stage IV: Law and Oder Orientation
• The law serves as a guiding principle, it is understood that the law is to be
maintained at all cost
• The child blindly accepts rules and convention because of their importance
in maintaining a functioning society.
 Theory cont…
• A Person's acceptance by society depends on his conforming with its laws.
3. Post Conventional Level
• This level is marked by growing realization that individual are separate
entities from society and individuals may disobey rules in consistent with
their own principles.
Stage V: Social Contract Orientation
• At this stage it is recognized that there are situations where by law have to
be broken.
• Society is viewed as source of law and force that can change the law if
necessary, At this stage nothing is considered absolute.
• Rules should involve mutual agreement and that their purpose should be to
protect the rights of individuals.
 Theory cont…

Stage VI: Universal Ethical Principal Orientation

• It’s the highest stage of moral development.
• Principles are based on human life, it focuses on ideas such as equality,
dignity and respect.
• People choose the ethical principles they want to follow.
 Theory Cont…

Application of the theory in learning situations

• It enables teachers to create methods which help students to reach full
moral development.
• Helps students to examine their own thinking, peers and other members of
the society about Moral issues.
• Moral maturity increases a person’s ability to resolve moral conflicts.