Compare and Contrast piaget's and kohlberg theories of moral Essay

Compare and Contrast piaget's and kohlberg theories of moral develpment. Which seems more relevent to the study of adolesecnts why - Essay Example Both believed that moral education could be enhanced through formal education and through cooperative decision-making and problem solving situations at school. Piaget focused on the moral lives of children and believed that all development emerges form action. Morality results from social interaction. Piaget observed children of different ages while playing marbles and reached several conclusions. In another instance, he presented situations to children and asked them to suggest who should be punished. This test further confirmed that younger children looked at consequences while the older ones concentrated on the intent. According to Piaget, in the first stage, upto the age of five, children do not understand morals or rules but Kohlberg asserted that individuals at this stage focus on the direct consequences that their actions will have for themselves. They are guided by punishment or rewards and have their own interest at hand. Kohlberg explained in the second stage, children seek approval of others and they respond to the obligations of duty. Piaget believed that the second stage which lasts upto the age of nine is called moral realism. Here the children follow rules because they are there. The importance is on the wrong act itself and the consequences, and not on the intentions of the doer. Piaget’s theory of the moral relativity stage starts at the age of seven and overlaps with the moral realism stage (Everything2, 2002). The children develop their own internal rules depending upon convenience and not rely on external rules. They start evaluating actions based on intentions. Kohlberg’s contention was that most adults do not reach the last stage (Barger, 2000). Nevertheless, they do demonstrate genuine interest in the welfare of others. Those who experienced this stage did exhibit respect for universal principles and followed their own conscience also. Kohlberg was