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Hierarchical structure of moral stages assessed by a sorting task
J Boom1, D Brugman, P G van der Heijden
1Universiteit Utrecht, Department of Developmental Psychology, The Netherlands. j.boom@fss.uu.nl
Child Development
|May 3, 2001
Summary
This study empirically re-examined Kohlberg's moral development stages using reflective abstraction. Findings confirm a hierarchical structure, with higher stages perceived as more sophisticated, though agreement decreases at advanced levels.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Developmental Psychology
- Moral Psychology
Background:
- Kohlberg's theory of moral judgment faced criticism regarding its hierarchical stage structure.
- An empirical re-examination was needed to validate the proposed stages of moral development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To empirically investigate the hierarchical stage structure of moral development.
- To utilize Piaget's concept of reflective abstraction to operationalize and measure moral sophistication.
Main Methods:
- A new method based on reflective abstraction was employed.
- 553 Dutch university students and 196 Russian high school students sorted statements representing different moral stages.
- Participants ranked statements according to perceived moral sophistication.
Main Results:
- Rank ordering confirmed that each consecutive Kohlbergian stage is perceived as more morally sophisticated.
- Agreement in ranking was higher for lower stages and decreased for higher stages.
- A developmental effect was observed: ordering statements below one's stage was easier than ordering those above.
Conclusions:
- The hierarchical stage structure of Kohlberg's model is empirically supported.
- Piaget's reflective abstraction provides a viable framework for measuring moral development stages.
- Individual differences and developmental effects influence the perception of moral sophistication.