What Is Postconventional Morality?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Postconventional morality is

the third stage of moral development

, and is characterized by an individuals’ understanding of universal ethical principles. … Individual judgment is based on self-chosen principles, and moral reasoning is based on individual rights and justice.

What is the meaning of post conventional?

Postconventional level is

the third and final level of Kohlberg’s moral development taxonomy where individuals enter the highest level of morale development

. People who have reached this stage of development are concerned with the innate rights of humans and guided by their own ethical principles.

What is an example of Preconventional morality?

Preconventional morality –

young children under the age of 9

The first stage highlights the self-interest of children in their decision making as they seek to avoid punishment at all costs. In relation to our example above, the man should not steal the medication from the pharmacy as he may go to jail if he is caught.

What is conventional morality?

Conventional morality is characterized by

an acceptance of society’s conventions concerning right and wrong

. At this level an individual obeys rules and follows society’s norms even when there are no consequences for obedience or disobedience.

What is Preconventional morality focus?

Pre-conventional morality is most common amongst infants or toddlers whose primary focus is

to avoid punishment and seek reward

. Consequently, any morals they have will be based on that principle. Kohlberg’s stages of moral development were based on Jean Piaget’s stages of childhood development.

What is the Postconventional stage?

At the postconventional level,

the individual moves beyond the perspective of his or her own society

. Morality is defined in terms of abstract principles and values that apply to all situations and societies. The individual attempts to take the perspective of all individuals.

What are the two phases of Preconventional morality?

Lesson Summary

There are two phases of preconventional morality.

The first phase is obedience and punishment. The second phase is self-interest

. In phase one, individual consequences form the basis for the morality of a decision.

What age is conventional morality?

According to Kohlberg, an individual progresses from the capacity for pre-conventional morality (before age 9) to the capacity for conventional morality (

early adolescence

), and toward attaining post-conventional morality (once Piaget’s idea of formal operational thought is attained), which only a few fully achieve.

How do emotions affect morality?

Most people do not realize how much their emotions direct their moral choices. But experts think it is

impossible

to make any important moral judgments without emotions. Inner-directed negative emotions like guilt, embarrassment, and shame often motivate people to act ethically.

What is an example of conventional moral reasoning?

For example, an adolescent might respond to those within his or her social group or clique with

acts of caring, loyalty, and trustworthiness

but might not extend such prosocial acts to those outside his or her social circle, potentially teasing and excluding those in another social group or clique.

What is the distinguishing feature of Postconventional morality?

Postconventional morality is the highest stage of morality in Kohlberg’s model, in which

individuals have developed their own personal set of ethics and morals that they use to drive their behavior

.

Can adults have Preconventional morality?

According to Kohlberg, people go through these six stages in the above order: most children have a preconventional morality, and

most adults have a conventional one

.

How should we define morality?

Morality refers

to the set of standards that enable people to live cooperatively in groups

. It’s what societies determine to be “right” and “acceptable.” Sometimes, acting in a moral manner means individuals must sacrifice their own short-term interests to benefit society.

What is Postconventional reasoning?

Definition. Postconventional morality, a concept developed largely by psychologist Lawrence Kohlberg,

identifies the ethical reasoning of moral actors who make decisions based on rights, values, duties, or principles

that are (or could be) universalizable.

How are morals developed?

Morality

develops across a lifetime

and is influenced by an individual’s experiences and their behavior when faced with moral issues through different periods’ physical and cognitive development. … Morality in itself is often a synonym for “rightness” or “goodness”.

What are the 7 steps of moral reasoning model?

  • State the problem. …
  • Check the facts. …
  • Identify relevant factors (internal and external).
  • Develop a list of options. …
  • Test the options. …
  • Make a choice based on steps 1-5.
  • Review steps 1-6.
Amira Khan
Author
Amira Khan
Amira Khan is a philosopher and scholar of religion with a Ph.D. in philosophy and theology. Amira's expertise includes the history of philosophy and religion, ethics, and the philosophy of science. She is passionate about helping readers navigate complex philosophical and religious concepts in a clear and accessible way.