Moral Development and Reality : Beyond the Theories of Kohlberg and Hoffman

by John C. Gibbs

• ISBN13: 9780761923893
• ISBN10: 0761923896
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2003-04-23
• Publisher: SAGE Publications, Inc

Summary

Moral Development and Reality: Beyond the Theories of Kohlberg and Hoffman explores the nature of moral development, social behavior, and human interconnectedness. By comparing, contrasting, and going beyond the works of pre-eminent theorists Lawrence Kohlberg and Martin Hoffman, author John C. Gibbs addresses fundamental questions: What is morality? Can we speak validly of moral development? Is the moral motivation of behavior primarily a matter of justice or of empathy? Does moral development, including moments of moral inspiration, reflect a deeper reality? Moral Development and Reality elucidates the full range of moral development from superficial perception to a deeper understanding and feeling through social perspective-taking. Providing case studies and chapter questions, Gibbs creates a unique framework for understanding Kohlberg's and Hoffman's influential contributions.

Author Biography

John C. Gibbs, Ph.D. (Harvard University, 1972) is Professor of Developmental Psychology at The Ohio State University

Table of Contents

Foreword - Daniel K. Lapsley

Preface

1. Introduction

Social Perspective-Taking and the Moral Point of View

The Right and the Good: The Moral Domain

Introducing Chapters Two Through Nine

2. "The Right" and Moral Development: Fundamental Themes of Kohlberg's Cognitive Developmental Approach

Early-Childhood Superficiality

Beyond Centrations and Superficial Judgment

Stages of Moral Reciprocity

Assessing Stages of Immature and Mature Moral Judgment

Concluding Comment

3. Kohlberg's Theory: A Critique and New View

Background

Kohlberg's Overhaul of Piaget's Phases

Adult Moral Development in Kohlberg's Theory

A New View of Lifespan Moral Judgment Development

Conclusion

4. "The Good" and Moral Development: Hoffman's Theory

The Empathic Predisposition

Modes of Empathic Arousal

Empathy and Cognitive Development: Stages of Empathic Distress

The Empathic Predisposition, Cognition, and Affective Primacy

The Empathic Predisposition, Socialization, and Moral Internalization

Conclusion and Critique

5. Moral Development, Moral Sef-Relevance, and Prosocial Behavior

Prosocial Behavior: A Rescue

Individual Differences in Prosocial Behavior

Conclusion: Two Spurious "Moral Exemplars"

6. Understanding Antisocial Behavior

Limitations of Antisocial Youth

A Case Study

7. Treating Antisocial Behavior

The Mutual Help Approach

The Psychoeducational or Skills Training Approach

Evaluation of the Equip Program

Perspective-Taking for Severe Offenders

8. Beyond the Theories: A Deeper Reality?

Two Case Studies

A Deeper Reality?

Moral Insight and Inspiration

Conclusion

9. Conclusion

The Issue of Moral Motivation

Moral Perception and Reality

References

Index

Appendix

About the Author