Psychological Explanations: Cognitive Explanations
Level of moral reasoning
Lawrence Kohlberg was the first to apply the concept of moral reasoning to criminal
behavior.
He proposed that people’s decisions and judgements on issues of right and wrong can be
summarized in a stage theory of moral development.
The higher the stage, the more sophisticated the reasoning.
He based his theory on people’s responses of to a series of moral dilemmas, such as the
Heinz Dilemma.
1
, Criminals tend to show a lower level of moral reasoning than non-criminals.
Kohlberg (1973), using his moral dilemma technique, found that a group of violent youths
were significantly lower in their moral development than non-violent youths- even after
controlling
for social
background.
Kohlberg’s model and criminality
2
Level of moral reasoning
Lawrence Kohlberg was the first to apply the concept of moral reasoning to criminal
behavior.
He proposed that people’s decisions and judgements on issues of right and wrong can be
summarized in a stage theory of moral development.
The higher the stage, the more sophisticated the reasoning.
He based his theory on people’s responses of to a series of moral dilemmas, such as the
Heinz Dilemma.
1
, Criminals tend to show a lower level of moral reasoning than non-criminals.
Kohlberg (1973), using his moral dilemma technique, found that a group of violent youths
were significantly lower in their moral development than non-violent youths- even after
controlling
for social
background.
Kohlberg’s model and criminality
2
