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COMPARE AND CONTRAST MORAL DEVELOPMENT TEMPLATE
FOUR MORAL DEVELOPMENT THEORIES
Describe Jean Piaget’s
Theory of Moral
Development
Jean Piaget was a Swiss psychologist and developmental theorist that is known for his cognitive
development and impact on education (Ryan, 2011). Jean Paiget’s theory of moral development states that
cognitive abilities and structures develop first. Cognitive abilities then determine children’s abilities to
reason about social situations (Slavin & Schunk, 2017). He developed many theories about how infants
and children learn about their environment, naming each stage as they progressed in their development.
Piaget believed that moral development has stages that each human begin encounters. According to Slavin
& Schunk (2017),
Describe Lawrence
Kohlberg’s Theory of Moral
Development
Lawrence Kohlberg’s was an American developmental theorist who was opposed of Piaget’s philosophy
(Ryan, 2011). His work modified and expanded upon Jean Piaget's previous work to form a theory that
explained how children develop moral reasoning. Piaget described a two-stage process of moral
development while Kohlberg's theory of moral development outlined six stages within three different
levels (Slavin & Schunk, 2017). The best-known moral dilemma created by Kohlberg is the “Heinz”
dilemma, which discusses the idea of obeying the law versus saving a life (Ryan, 2011). “Kohlberg
studied how both children and adults’ reason about rules that govern their behavior in certain situations...
he explored for their responses to a series of moral dilemmas” (Slavin and Schunk, 2017, p. 54).
Describe Elliot Turiel’s
Moral Domain Theory
Elliot Turiel’s was an American psychologist of the development of moral reasoning and tried to find a
solution to the inconsistence of Lawrence Kohlberg’s theory (Ryan, 2011). His theories focus on social
and moral development. He has formulated a theory of domains of social development involving the
development of moral judgments (based on concepts of welfare, justice, and rights) and their distinction,
throughout development, from understandings from a society stand point and personal jurisdiction (Slavin
& Shunk, 2017).
Turiel considers children as active social agents that face conflicts and meaningful moral experiences in
their everyday life. Moral development is not about absorbing information about moral rules or values, it
is about actively constructing a moral understanding of the social world and of one’s own life.
Albert Bandura’s Theory of
Moral Development through
Social Learning
Albert Bandura’s was a Canadian psychologist who theory believed moral development through social
learning (Ryan, 2011). His belief was that children learned by observing and imitating others. Children
take the behavior that they see and they internalize that behavior and experiment with it as well.
People learn through observing others’ behavior, attitudes, and outcomes of those behaviors. “Most
human behavior is learned observationally through modeling: from observing others, one forms an idea of
how new behaviors are performed, and on later occasions this coded information serves as a guide for
action.” (Bussey & Bandura, 1999). Social learning theory explains human behavior in terms of
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continuous reciprocal interaction between cognitive, behavioral, and environmental influences.
BIBLICAL INTEGRATION
Share at least 2
verses/passages regarding
social, moral, and emotional
development. Share the
verse in quotes followed by
the citation.
“Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it”
(Proverbs 22:6 New International Version).
“Where there is no revelation, people cast off restraint; but blessed is the one who heeds wisdom’s
instruction (Proverbs 29:18 New International Version).
Why is it essential to instill
a sense of right and wrong
in children from a biblical
perspective? Support your
answer.
It essential to instill a sense of right and wrong in children from a biblical perspective, because the word
of God serve as our foundation. A spiritual foundation that will help navigate our life them to take on the
world and not let the challenges of life take over them. Christian beliefs and values are extremely
important since it will govern how children will treat one another and be of service to others. In such
trying times, it is up to the faithful to fulfill their duty and keep their Christian values alive and intact. The
following Christian values will provide youngsters with an opportunity to develop spiritually. In this way,
they may reflect on the bigger questions of life and refine their moral judgement in order to make better
and wiser decisions. It will allow them to experience God in a more profound way – becoming better
followers of Christ. “Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will
not turn from it” (Proverbs 22:6 New International Version). The bible and the relationship with Jesus
would be a navigation within our children. If we instill this sense of right and wrong our children will
never part from it. Children need modeling, teaching, and reading of Jesus education values and
principles to teach others. “Where there is no revelation, people cast off restraint; but blessed is the one
who heeds wisdom’s instruction (Proverbs 29:18 New International Version).
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Write 1 solid paragraph of at least 200 words comparing and contrasting the view of any 2 of the theorists from the video of how children
develop a sense of right and wrong. How do their views compare with a biblical worldview? In your professional role, how can you help
children/students to develop a sense of right and wrong?
The comparing and contrasting of theorists Albert Bandura and Elliot Turiel’s professional knowledge on how children develop a sense
of right and wrong. The comparison of both theorists believes that moral development in children starts at a very young age. Also, they
both believe that within social development there is a difference among social convention and morality. The contrasting of Albert
Bandura and Elliot Turiel are two different applied theoretical approaches. The social learning theory of Bandura emphasizes, “the
importance of observing and modeling the behaviors. Social learning theory describes individual’s behavior having the same interaction
between cognitive and environmental influences” (Bussey & Bandura, 1999). Bandura’s theory is mainly concerned with how children
and adults operate cognitively on their social experiences and with how these cognitive operations then come to influence their behavior
and development. He believed in social characteristics of development. Bandura believed that most of children’s moral learning is
through observational learning or modeling. Albert Bandura suggested that just as children learn from their own enactive experiences,
children and adults learn vicariously (from other’s experiences) as well. Children will learn how to behave in a moral manner (think
classroom expectations) by watching how other children behave. Acting morally and resisting temptation are examples that can be easily
modeled. Models who are publicly and specifically reinforced for a behavior will increase the likelihood that other children will behave
in the same manner, as long as the target child is liked, respected, popular, and is perceived to be similar to his classmates. Elliot Turiel
views is the relations of morality and culture. His research shows that cultures are not homogeneous and that different groups on in
social hierarchies disagree on how to apply considerations of justice and equality. His research investigates social opposition and moral
resistance to cultural practices perceived as unjust. He studies ways children, adolescents, and adults attempt to counter inequalities
(such as those based on gender) with overt and covert activities aimed at changing and subverting practices that favor those in positions
of power in the social hierarchy. Turiel and Bandura’s theories align with biblical world views. “Start children off on the way they
should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it” (Proverbs 22:6 New International Version). The bible is considering
our foundation “the lighthouse” we as people are to follow his word and work. If our spiritual and moral development develops at an
early age, then we become aware of the right and wrong behaviors. Within my current role as a special education paraprofessional, I can
help students to develop a sense of right and wrong by modeling good behaviors and praising them with positive affirmations. “A
positive reinforcer strengthens any response that it immediately follows” (Maag, 2018, p. 63). Although the ultimate goal is for students
to regulate their own behavior by responding to intrinsic motivators (e.g., feeling proud), initially educators might need to deliver more
concrete reinforcers to encourage right and wrong behavior. Whether it is a verbal feedback, a pat on the back or high-five, I will let
students know that they are displaying good behavior. As an adult, it is important to be a good role model for the behaviors the students
should exhibit. “Rather, the teacher can “catch students being good” and give them additional rewards (Ackerman, p.14, 2007). “Train
up a child the way he should go, and even when is old he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6, American Standard Version).
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References
Ackerman, B. (2007). P.R.A.I.S.E.: Effectively guiding student behavior. Colorado Springs, CO: Purposeful Design Publications.
Bussey, K. & Bandura, A. (1999) Social cognitive theory of gender development and differentiation. Psychological Review, 106(4), 676-
713.
Magg, J. W. (2018). Behavior management: From theoretical implications to practical applications (3rd ed.). Boston, MA: Cengage
Learning.
Ryan, K. O. (Producer). (2011). A Child's Mind: How Kids Learn Right & Wrong [Video file]. Learning Seed. Retrieved June 15, 2017,
from Education in Video: Volume I.
Slavin, R. E., & Schunk, D.H. (2017). Learning theories: EDUC 500 (1st ed). Boston, MA: Pearson.
References
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Ryan, K. O. (Producer). (2011). A Child's Mind: How Kids Learn Right & Wrong [Video file]. Learning Seed. Retrieved from Education
in Video: Volume I database.
