This model of development investigates how children possess and maintain morality as they grow across the different stages of human development. According to Kohlberg, children develop morality in levels; preconventional level, convectional level, and post convectional levels of morality; each distinct phase has stages ( Cherry, 2021) . In the convectional phase of moral development, a children’s mode of developing morality is externally influenced and determined. The surrounding environment shapes the children’s morality. In this phase, children accept and adhere to the autonomy of social figures like parents and elder people.
In the convectional phase of morality development, children's morality is personal and society-based. At this level, children adhere to rules, but with specific rewards, which are personal ( Cherry, 2021) . In the post convectional phase, children’s morality is shaped by more complex and personal things like personality, and personal principles.
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Piaget’s Theory of Moral Development
Piaget describes moral development as the process of acquiring and maintaining morality subject to social and cultural norms and standards. Piaget sees moral development as a constructivist process that focuses on instilling only the constructive and desirable attributes into children, as they grow to become responsible members of society ( McLeod , 2015) . According to Piaget, in moral development, people, and especially children develop and acquire knowledge personally, however, the personal experiences of the learner distinguish the knowledge perceived and the reality.
In Piaget's model, children's possession and maintenance of morals are determined by three basic notions; where the rules come from, if the rules can be changed and who made the rules. This shows that, the autonomy of the rules-making authority influences degree of morality. According to children, something is only moral if a certain influential figure is involved, if the rules can be changed to suit their (children’s) interests and relevance of the rules-making body to the children ( McLeod , 2015) . Kohlberg's model is an upgrade of Piaget's theory of moral development since they both focus on the influence of the rules-making environment on children's morality.
Personal Beliefs about Piaget's and Kohlberg's Models of Moral Development.
Children adopt moral codes based on who is making them, then how beneficial the moral codes are to the children and the consequences of the morality. if they will develop morality, and maintain it, then the latter must be initiated or implemented by an autonomous authority, like social and cultural standards, the corresponding remedies must be beneficial to the children. Learning or morals is a passive process, but personal experiences help children distinguish morality from immorality. Personal experiences are things like legal punishments, social codes, and the corresponding penalties.
My moral development was instigated by the cultural background I grew. in my cultural background, children must learn to respect and honor the elderly. Parents and elderly people are obligated to pass moral codes to children during family gatherings, and corrections upon violating the set social codes. For instance, disrespecting the elderly attracted punishment among children; this way, children grow up distinguishing between moral and immoral. I also acquired moral development by emulating best practices done repeatedly by elder people; especially parents.
References
Dr. Saul McLeod . (2015). Piaget’s Theory of Moral Development. Retrieved from: https://www.simplypsychology.org/piagetmoral.html#:~:text=Moral%20development%20refers%20to%20the,and%20cultural%20norms%2C%20and%20laws.&text=Piaget%20conceptualizes%20moral%20deelopment%20as,and%20thought%20buils%20moral%20concepts .
Kendra C. (2021). Kohlberg's Theory of Moral Development. Retrieved from: https://www.verywellmind.com/kohlbergs-theory-of-moral-development-2795071#:~:text=Kohlberg%27s%20theory%20of%20moral%20development%20is%20a%20theory%20that%20focuses,on%20seeking%20and%20maintaining%20justice .
