Beyond Social Services
Potsdam University of Applied Sciences ©

JOHN : Dad, can you write in the dark?
FATHER : I think so. What do you want me to write?
JOHN : Your name on this report card.
TEACHER : John, your composition on "My
Dog" is exactly the same as your brother's.
Did you copy his?
JOHN : No, teacher, it's the same dog!

Lawrence Kohlberg: “How does moral reasoning develop?”
3 explanations:
1. Traditional: copying
2. Psychoanalytic: guilt
3. Kohlberg’s: we learn moral reasoning like maths.

What is a moral decision?
A decision valid in different
(all) contexts
A logical consistent decision
A decision supported by comprehensive moral philosophy

Stage 6: Universal ethical principles:
“Which are principles to achieve justice and guarantee dignity?”
Stage 5: Social contract orientation (human rights):
"Which democratic processes are needed for a good society?"
Stage 4 : Law & Order Orientation:
“People must follow the rules!”
Level:
Conventional
Stage 3: Interpersonal accord and conformity:
The good boy / good girl attitude
Stage 2: Self-interest orientation:
"What's in it for me?"
Stage 1: Obedience and Avoidance of punishment:
"Will I get into trouble?"
Level:
Pre-Conventional
Stage 0: Egocentric reasoning:
"I should get my own way!"

1 Voluntering student
1 interviewing student
1 observing student
1 observing Tutor

The Heinz dilemma
Stage one (obedience):
Stage two (self-interest):
Stage three (conformity):
Stage four (law-and-order):
Stage five (human rights/ social contract):
Stage six (universal human ethics):
6. Heinz should steal the medicine, because saving a human life is a more fundamental value than the property rights of another person. Or: Heinz should not steal the medicine, because that violates the golden rule of honesty and respect.
5. Heinz should steal the medicine, because everyone has a right to live, regardless of the law. Or: Heinz should not steal the medicine, because the scientist has a right to fair compensation.
4. Heinz should not steal the medicine, because the law prohibits stealing.
3. Heinz should steal the medicine, because his wife expects it.
2. Heinz should steal the medicine, because he will be much happier if he saves his wife, even if he will have to serve a prison sentence.
1. Heinz should not steal the medicine, because he will consequently be put in prison.

Stage one (obedience):
Stage two (self-interest):
Stage three (conformity):
Stage four (law-and-order):
Stage 4 ½
Stage five (human rights/ social contract):
Stage six (universal human ethics):

Sharon and Uli : Scenario to exercise the
Sharon and her best friend Uli went shopping in a nearby department store. Sharon looks at various things and Uli saw a blouse, which she liked very much. She says to
Sharon, that she wants to try it on. Meanwhile Sharon looks at other things. Uli comes out of the bathing-cabin. She is wearing her coat. She gives a look at Sharon and then quickly looks down at the blouse she is wearing under her coat. Without a word she turns around and leaves the shop. Some minutes later the shop detective, a shop-assistant and the store manager approach Sharon. Sharon allows the manager to search her bag. When he notices, that the blouse is not in the possession of Sharon, he insists on her telling the name of her friend. The manager explains to her: .I can’t let shop lifters go. If you don’t give us the name, you will be punished for participation in a criminal act.
What will Sharon do?
1. Invent for each stage of moral development 6 possible courses of her action.
2. Write for each stage 1 significant sentences Sharon may say on a piece of paper. Use felt pens.
3. Do write the number of the stage with a pencil on the backside of the paper not on the front.

m RT:
Goldstein, Glick, Gibbs

Typical moral reasoning distortions
1.Self-centeredness
2.Assuming the worst
3.Blaming others
4.Normalizing / mislabelling m RT:

The process of MRT
0 Preparation
1 Rules
2 Problem situation
3 Questionnaires
4 Cultivate mature morality
5 Remediate moral developmental delay
6 Consolidate mature morality m RT:

The process of MRT
0 Preparation
1 Rules
2 Problem situation
3 Questionnaires
4 Cultivate mature morality
5 Remediate moral developmental delay
6 Consolidate mature morality m RT:

The process of MRT
0 Preparation
1 Rules
2 Problem situation
3 Questionnaire
4 Cultivate mature morality
5 Remediate moral developmental delay
6 Consolidate mature morality m
 Never put down or threaten anyone.
 Listen to what others have to say.
 If you criticize another group member, give that person a chance to answer.
 Stay on the subject when you disagree.
 Never talk to anyone outside the group about what is said in the group.
RT:

The process of MRT
0 Preparation
1 Rules
2 Problem situation
3 Questionnaire
4 Cultivate mature morality
5 Remediate moral developmental delay
6 Consolidate mature morality
Who can tell what Jerry’s problem is?
Why is this a problem?
m RT:
Do problems like this happen?
Who has been in a situation like this? Can you tell the group about it?

The process of MRT
0 Preparation
1 Rules
2 Problem situation
3 Questionnaire
4 Cultivate mature morality
5 Remediate moral developmental delay
6 Consolidate mature morality m RT:

The process of MRT
0 Preparation
1 Rules
2 Problem situation
3 Questionnaire
4 Cultivate mature morality
5 Remediate moral developmental delay
6 Consolidate mature morality m
Highlight mature morality by asking group members who indicated positive decisions about the reasons for those decisions
Write those reasons on a board for the group to consider.
RT:

The process of MRT
0 Preparation
1 Rules
2 Problem situation
3 Questionnaire
4 Cultivate mature morality
5 Remediate moral developmental delay
6 Consolidate mature morality m RT:
Ask group members who indicated negative decisions about their reasons
Write down reasons
Ask group members who indicated positive decisions whether these reasons make them reconsider their decision. Why not?
Let the moral disequilibration and group dynamics work.
Give group members with negative decisions a good way of changing their decision and reinforce the change with positive comments.

The process of MRT
0 Preparation
1 Rules
2 Problem situation
3 Questionnaire
4 Cultivate mature morality
5 Remediate moral developmental delay
6 Consolidate mature morality
Ask the group about the groups ”official” decision.
Ask whether there are any objections to the groups ”official” decision.
If none : Circle the answer on the bottom row red.
If yes : Put a red question mark beside the answer on the bottom row. It stays the majority decision.
Let the moral disequilibration work. frustration from a deadlock stimulates moral development