Carol gilligan’s theory of moral development
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Carol Gilligan's theory of moral development emphasizes the differences between care-based and justice-based morality, proposing that women often adopt a caring perspective while men tend to use a justice perspective. Her theory divides moral development into three stages: pre-conventional (selfishness), conventional (responsibility towards others), and post-conventional (balancing care for self and others). Critically, Gilligan argues that women’s moral reasoning is often undervalued in traditional frameworks, highlighting the need for a broader understanding of moral development that includes caring relationships.
Carol gilligan’s theory of moral development
- 1. CAROL GILLIGAN’S THEORY OF MORAL DEVELOPMENT REF- MCLEOD, S. A. . RETRIEVED FROM WWW.SIMPLYPSYCHOLOGY.ORG/ By Col Mukteshwar Prasad
- 2. KEY TERMS Conventional morality: the second level of moral development in Kohlberg’s theory; at this level, moral reasoning focuses on having the approval of others. Morality of care: this is a form of morality in which the individual emphasises the importance of compassion and human well-being when deciding what is morally acceptable. Morality of justice: this is a form of morality in which the individual emphasises the importance of laws and of moral principles when deciding what is morally acceptable. Peers: children of approximately the same age as a given child. Post-conventional morality: the third level of moral development in Kohlberg’s theory; at this level, moral reasoning focuses on justice and the need for others to be treated in a respectful way. Pre-conventional morality: the first level of moral development in Kohlberg’s theory; at this level, moral reasoning focuses on rewards and punishments for good and bad actions.
- 3. INTRODUCTION- MOLE AND PORCUPINE AND MORAL CONFLICTS A community of moles gives shelter to a homeless porcupine. The moles, however, are constantly stabbed by the porcupine's quills. What should they do? There are two options First to see any dilemma as a conflict between different claims/perspective called justice-based perspective . The moles want one thing; the porcupine wants something incompatible. They can't both have a valid claim on the burrow, so only one of them can be right. A solution to the dilemma is not a resolution of the conflict; it's a verdict, in which one side gets everything and the other side gets nothing. Second rather than decoding conflict one way or the other but find a solution which damages none called care-based perspective Rather than seeing all the parties as separate individuals with their own valid or invalid claims, it sees them as already in a difficult situation together. If there is a conflict between them, that is part of the problem. The point is not to decide the conflict one way or the other but to find a way to get around it or remove it. This perspective starts from the particular case and the actual people within it and hopes to find a solution that will not damage anyone. It will be ready to embrace compromise and creative solutions. Researchers have found a tendency for males to adopt the justice perspective and for females to be more likely than males to adopt the caring perspective.
- 4. INTRODUCTION This scenario was used to aid in the development of a theory that argued women and men may have differing paths to moral development. The field of moral development encompasses Prosocial behavior, such as Altruism, Caring and Helping, Traits such as Honesty, Fairness, and Respect.
- 5. CARE-BASED MORALITY & JUSTICE-BASED MORALITY Gilligan proposed the Stages of the Ethics of Care theory, which addresses what makes actions 'right' or 'wrong'. Gilligan's theory focused on both care- based morality and justice-based morality. Care-based morality is based on the following principles: Emphasizes interconnectedness and universality. Acting justly means avoiding violence and helping those in need. Care-based morality is thought to be more common in girls because of their connections to their mothers. Because girls remain connected to their mothers, they are less inclined to worry about issues of fairness. Justice-based morality is based on the following principles: Views the world as being composed of autonomous individuals who interact with another. Acting justly means avoiding inequality. Is thought to be more common in boys because of their need to differentiate between themselves and their mothers. Because they are separated from their mothers, boys become more concerned with the concept of inequality.
- 6. CAROL GILLIGAN & MORAL DEVELOPMENT Carol Gilligan was a research assistant for the great theorist of moral development, Lawrence Kohlberg. Gilligan became independent and began to criticize some of Kohlberg' s work. Her opinions were presented in her famous book, " In a different Voice: Psychological Theory and Women ' s Development " which was published in 1982. Gilligan criticized Kohlberg’s work on two things: She felt that Kohlberg only studied " privileged, white men and boys. " Gilligan said that this caused a biased opinion against women. She felt that , in Kohlberg ' s stage theory of moral development, the male view of individual rights and rules was considered a higher at stage 4 against women at stage 3 disregarding women's point of view of development in terms of its caring effect on human relationships. " Gilligan ' s goal was to prove that women are not " moral midgets " , she was going against many psychological opinions. Another famous theorist, Freud thought women ' s moral sense was stunted because they stayed attached to their mothers. Another great theorist , Erik Erickson , thought the tasks of development were separation from mother and the family , If women did not succeed in this scale, then they were obviously lacking.
- 9. STAGES OF MORAL DEVELOPMENT Her theory is divided into three stages of moral development beginning from " selfish , to social or conventional morality , and finally to post conventional or principled morality . " Women must learn to deal to their own interests and to the interests of others . She thinks that women hesitate to judge because they see the complexities of relationships. Pre Conventional -Person only cares for themselves in order to ensure survival -This is how everyone is as children In this transitional phase, the person 's attitude is considered selfish, and the person sees the connection between themselves and others. Conventional -Responsibility -More care shown for other people. -Gilligan says this is shown in the role of Mother & Wife -Situation sometimes carries on to ignoring needs of self. In this transitional phase, tensions between responsibility of caring for others and caring for self are faced. Post Conventional -Acceptance of the principle of care for self and others is shown. -Some people never reach this level.
- 12. IS SHE WRONG? There has been some criticism of Gilligan's work and by Christina Hoff Sommers . She says that Gilligan does not have data for her research. She says Gilligan used unreliable evidence, that researchers have not been able to duplicate her work, and that the samples used were too small. She feels strongly that promoting an anti-male agenda hurts both males and females. Gilligan says that her work has been published in articles and journals and Sommer ' s points are inaccurate.
- 13. GILLIGAN' S THEORY AND SOCIETY Gilligan's ideas are against the struggle of women against our society's idea of their " gender-determined " role. According to Gilligan , women can gain personal independence after they forget about the idea that their proper role is to overcome their interests to the interests of their husbands, children, or other people they care about. Gilligan says that in our society women really like to help others, however they should care just as much about themselves as the do about others.
- 14. GILLIGAN'S THEORY AND EDUCATION Carol Gilligan's theory helps both men and women in seeing each other in a different perspective. In terms of education everyone should focus on it and everyone's need for education is important. A person should not put the needs of others in front of their own, especially in the case of education
- 15. GILLIGAN'S THEORY AND THE WORKPLACE A person could undergo this process of "the ethic of care" when entering a new job. The conventional stage is shown when the job is just acquired, and a good impression is trying to be made. This is followed by the conventional stage, which can be seen after developing relationships with colleagues. This might be followed by the post conventional stage when care for oneself and another colleague might be equal. (Not everyone reaches the post conventional stage)