According to Lawrence Kohlberg which moral reasoning is a characteristic of middle childhood
According to Lawrence Kohlberg, the moral reasoning characteristic of middle childhood is the conventional stage of moral development. This stage is identified as Stage 3 (mutual interpersonal expectations, relationships, and inter-personal conformity) and Stage 4 (social system and conscience maintenance).
In Stage 3, individuals at this age show an increasing understanding of the importance of conforming to social norms, expectations, and roles. They begin to care about the opinions and viewpoints of others and value being seen as a good person by those around them. This stage is marked by an emphasis on being well-liked and being a good friend.
In Stage 4, there is a further development of understanding and respect for authority, laws, and rules. Individuals in this stage recognize that society functions best when everyone obeys the established rules and contributes to the common good. They might demonstrate a desire to maintain order and protect the social system, valuing law and order as well as the sanctity of societal institutions.
Overall, during middle childhood, individuals start to develop a stronger sense of the importance of social norms, rules, and expectations, as well as the significance of interpersonal relationships and social order.
According to Lawrence Kohlberg's theory of moral development, middle childhood (usually between the ages of 6 to 12) is associated with the third level of moral reasoning called "Conventional Morality." This level is further divided into two stages, which are:
1. Stage 3: "Good Interpersonal Relationships": At this stage, children's moral reasoning is influenced by the desire to gain approval from others and maintain positive relationships. They begin to understand that people have different perspectives and opinions, and they try to conform to social norms and expectations to be seen as good and to avoid disapproval.
2. Stage 4: "Maintaining Social Order": At this stage, children's moral reasoning shifts towards understanding the importance of maintaining social order and upholding the rules and laws of society. They believe that fulfilling one's roles, following rules, and maintaining the social order are crucial for a functioning society.
It is important to note that individuals may progress through these stages at different rates, and not everyone reaches the highest level of moral reasoning, known as the "Post-Conventional Morality."
According to Lawrence Kohlberg's theory of moral development, the moral reasoning characteristic of middle childhood is called "conventional morality."
To understand how Kohlberg came up with this theory, it's helpful to know that he proposed six stages of moral development, categorized into three levels. The first level is called the pre-conventional level, the second level is conventional, and the third level is post-conventional.
Middle childhood, which typically spans from around 6 to 12 years old, falls under the second level of moral development, which is the conventional level. During this stage, children start to internalize societal rules and expectations. They begin to conform to these rules in order to gain approval from others and maintain social order.
To determine that conventional morality is a characteristic of middle childhood, Kohlberg extensively studied the moral reasoning of children across different ages and cultures. He used various moral dilemmas and presented them to the participants, analyzing their responses and reasoning.
Kohlberg noted that children in middle childhood tend to focus on maintaining good interpersonal relationships and meeting the expectations of others. They believe that it is important to follow the rules of society and avoid behaviors that may result in punishment or disapproval.
It is worth mentioning that while Kohlberg's theory is influential, it has also faced criticism and sparked debates among psychologists regarding its cultural bias and individuals' ability to progress through the proposed stages.
Overall, according to Lawrence Kohlberg, conventional morality is a characteristic of middle childhood, where children show an increasing awareness and adherence to societal norms and rules.