An individual’s growth is largely influenced by how the individual interacts with the environment and their own conscience as well. This paper is going to exhaustively compare and contrast the Moral Reasoning theory to Bio-ecological theory.
Moral Reasoning Theory-Kohlberg
According to Kohlberg, morality can either be developed positively or negatively and this fully depends on how one accomplishes the tasks at each stage of moral development in one’s lifetime ( Jovan, 2008). Kohlberg divides the stages of moral development into three main stages each with stage with two sub stages.
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Preconvention Morality
This is the first level of morality and it is further divided into punishment and obedience, and individualism and exchange.
Punishment-Obedience Orientation
In this stage, Kohlberg illustrates the use of punishment to refrain one from doing a wrong action. Additionally, one is obligated to continue adhering to the stipulated rules since failure to do so will only result to punish. From The Walking Dead, the group of survivors were required to follow the laid down rules that was governing them failure to which they could be jailed for some time. Rick jails Negan in a cell to illustrate civility and restraint.
Individualism and Exchange
Here, a person gives judgement of a moral action based on how one is satisfied individually in regard to one’s needs. From The Walking Dead, Carol was faced with a dilemma to choose between killing Lizzie or not since Lizzie being alive posed a threat to the baby but killing her could reduce the possibilities of sustained human life. According to Kohlberg, most people find this action morally right due to their serious need to do it.
Conventional Morality
This is the second stage oh Kohlberg’s theory and it involves the roles of society in judging an action’s morality.
Good Boy-Nice Girl Orientation
Here, one’s judgement is inclined on social expectations and societal roles expected from them. Here, one’s decisions are inclined towards conformity and interpersonal accord as they are expected to consider social norms. For instance, from The Walking Dead, Dale tries hard to maintain his humanity until he finally dies as he saw no need of coming back as a zombie and attack the rest of the group.
Law and Order Orientation
For this stage, one follows stipulated rules and respects the authorities that govern the respective society and doing their duties as well. The society plays a major role in this stage by defining the social-order and authority of a place. A vivid example is from The Walking Dead where Shane guns down the zombies that Hershel had been guiding as his friends since according to the laws of the society at that time, every person was supposed to be killed without hesitation once they turned to zombies.
Post Conventional Morality
This stage mainly deals with universal principles relating to the action done.
Social Contract Orientation
Here, one looks at various values and opinions of different people before making decisions on the morality of an action. One is most likely to make decisions basing on what other people seem right. In The Walking Dead, social construction theory is depicted where Dale pleaded for the life of the prisoner who had tried to kill Rick but instead the group reacts by ignoring him and considers that to be morally right.
Universal Ethics Principles Orientation
Here, one considers ethical principles that are universally accepted when reasoning. These may sometimes violate one’s own rules and laws as people become attached to their own justice and principles. For instance, Hershel depicts universal ethics principle orientation where she considers it morally wrong to kill “friends” even when they turn to zombies. Instead, Shane guns them all down because the universal moral principles no longer existed.
Bio-ecological Theory-Bronfenbrenner
This theory explains one’s mental development basing on the interactions between an individual and the surrounding environment ( Ashiabi & O’Neal, 2015). They are categorized into 5 main systems;
Microsystem
This refers to the environment that is most immediate and closest to an individual. The main type of relationships is between the individual and family members and peer group members ( Guhn & Goelman, 2011). The mental growth of an individual would be largely affected by their interactions with these individuals and groups. For instance, the group of survivors learn how to survive among the zombies and in the process, they learn how to fight and defend themselves from the zombies.
Mesosystem
Here, one’s development is largely defined by their interactions with different microsystems. Such systems include linkages between family and peer groups or between church and family. A vivid example is when as a kid my parents were actively involved with my friends and wanted to know details of where they live and study.
Exosystem
This refers to two or more settings that are linked to a one’s mental development either directly or indirectly. For instance, Rick tried hard to protect his family including his wife and he had this obligation because of her but to save the unborn child rather.
Macrosystem
According to Bronfenbrenner, these are most distant and large collection of places and people that have significant influence in the one’s mental development ( Gifre & Guitart, 2013). It could include cultural patterns or the economic and political setting. From The Walking Dead, the labs with the right antidotes to the virus are far away yet the group is affected by them and they make a decision to look for them manually.
Chronosystem
Here, Bronfenbrenner introduces the dimensions of time in regard to the eventual changes in the setting, like one’s health status, address, and family structure. The Walking Dead depicts this theory when the group makes a decision of separating their members on the event that they get affected and turn into zombies.
Similarities between Moral Reasoning Theory and Bio-ecological Theory
In the first place, both talk about talk about the relationship between one’s environment and how it influences one’s mental development. They both point out how human mental development is largely influenced by what the surrounding dictates in regard to what is right or wrong. Both illustrate how indirect contact with society or an individual can impact the moral decisions as Kohlberg illustrates it in universal ethics principle theory level while Bronfenbrenner illustrates it in the chronosystem level.
Differences between Moral Reasoning Theory and Bio-ecological Theory
To begin with, Kohlberg explains the development of a one’s mind and reasoning basing on the previous interactions in each of the six stages while on the contrary, Bronfenbrenner explains the developments of human minds based on interactions with the surrounding environments alone.
Conclusion
To sum up, both theories illustrate the need to shape one’s reasoning and mind development based on both external factors and our own conscience. The difference between moral reasoning theory and bio-ecological theories is that the former includes a one’s conscience in making decisions while the latter only talks about impact of the environment on one’s mental growth.
References
Ashiabi, G. S., & O’Neal, K. K. (2015). Child Social Development in Context: An Examination of Some Propositions in Bronfenbrenner’s Bioecological Theory. SAGE Open, 5(2), 1.
Gifre, G. & Guitart, M. (2013). Some educational concerns grounded in the Bronfenbrenner’s ecological approach. Contextos Educativos: Revista de Educación, (15), 79. https://doi.org/10.18172/con.656
Guhn, M., & Goelman, H. (2011). Bioecological Theory, Early Child Development and the Validation of the Population-Level Early Development Instrument. Social Indicators Research, 103(2), 193–217. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11205-011-9842-5
Jovan, M. (2008). Psychology of development of moral reasoning: Problem-oriented overview of the field. Zbornik: Institut Za Pedagoška Istraživanja, (2), 274. https://doi.org/10.2298/ZIPI0802274M
