Author: Molly R. Simonton, M.S.South Charleston, West Virginia

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Moral Reasoning and Values Clarification

Orientation to Deafness. Nancy Sheetz

Chapter 8A Review by Angela Williams

Spring 2005

Moral Reasoning

A philosophical tenet consisting of the intentions and reasons that sustains our actions (Windmiller, Lambert, and Truel, 1980).

Sheetz, 2001, p. 180

Developing A Moral Code Moral codes focus on what is good and bad for

people

Moral principles, codes, judgments and admonitions have some bearing on behavior (moral discourse)

Individuals may choose to behave in accordance with their beliefs and avoid those that would make them feel “guilt”

Sheetz, 2001, p. 181

Three Major Theories

Intuitionism – individuals know intuitively what is moral and good, having a “sense” of what is right and wrong

Emotivism – a moral judgment conveys only an attitude and this is used to influence oneself to behave in a certain way

Prescriptivism – moral statements are meant to guide rather than influence behavior

Sheetz, 2001, p. 181 - 182

A Structural-Developmental Theory of Moral Development The process and reasoning abilities that evolve as

individuals process through stages of moral development

Learning takes place as individuals interact with their environment

The way individuals interact and respond to their environment will determine their self-concept and perceptions of the world

Sheetz, 2001, p.182

Based on the uniqueness of the individuals knowledge, individuals will develop their own sense of morality through structuring and restructuring their social experiences

Restructuring enables individuals to advance from one stage to the next

All children experience these developmental reorganizations in the same order (stages of development)

Sheets, 2001, p.182

Piaget’s Theory of Moral Development

After observing children playing marbles, Piaget hypothesized that: children’s rule-following behavior was indicative of

a respect for social rules Interpretations of the rules changed as the

children grew older There were four distinct stages of moral

development that could be observed

Sheetz, 2001, p. 183

Piaget’s Stages of Moral Development

Stage 1 (begins at age two) – “play” rather that moral rules. They invent their own rules – and there is no obligation to follow the rules Symbolic play Learning through the 5 senses Object performance Goal directed Actions

Sheets, 2001, p.183

Rules for Toddlers

If I like it, it’s mine If it’s in my hand, it’s mine If I can take it from you, it’s mine If I had it a little while ago, it’s mine If it’s mine, it must never appear to be yours

in any way.

Rules for Toddlers, continued

If I’m doing or building something, all the pieces are mine.

If it looks like mine, it’s mine If I saw it first, it’s mine If you are playing with something, and you

put it down, it’s mine If it’s broken – it’s YOUR’S!

Allyn and Bacon 2004

Piaget’s Moral Development

Stage two – (ages 5 or 6 through age 8) Children begin to acknowledge the existence of

rules, but do not use them consistently Moral realism

Behaviors that comply with adult commands are good, those that do not, are bad

The consequences of the act are valued more than the intention behind the act

Children evaluate their behavior in conforming exactly to established rules

Sheetz, 2001, p.184

Stage three (around 8 years old) Feelings of mutual respect for their peers (morality of

cooperation)

“Peer Cooperation” becomes the reason for following rules, rather than adult restraint

Rules are man-made changeable agreements (“autonomous morality”) – a change in rules is acceptable as long as everyone agrees it is fair

Sheetz, 2001, p. 184

Stage four (by age eleven) Capable of grasping why “new” rules are necessary

Able to construct “new” rules to cope with all possible situations

Develop their own ideas of what is right and wrong

Understand political and social issues (laws)

Sheetz, 2001, p. 185

Kohlberg’s Stages of Moral Reasoning An extension of Piaget’s Stages: Kohlberg theorized that

individuals progress through 3 levels to develop the ability to reason morally.

Level 1: Preconventional Level – rules are set down by others

Level 2: Conventional Level – Individuals adopts rules, sometimes subordinate own needs to those of the group

Level 3: Postconventional Level – People define own values in terms of ethical principles they have chosen to follow

Sheets, 2001, p. 185

Level 1: Preconventional Level

Stage 1: Punishment and Obedience Orientation. Physical consequences of action determine its goodness and badness.

Stage 2: Instrumental Relativist Orientation. What’s right is whatever satisfies one’s own needs and occasionally the needs of others.

Sheets, 2001, p. 186

Level 2 Conventional Level

Stage 3: “Good-Bye Nice Girl” Orientation. Good behaviors is whatever pleases or helps others and is approved of by them. One earns approval by being “nice”

Stage 4: “Law and Order” Orientation. Right is doing one’s duty, showing respect for authority, and maintaining the given social order for its own sake.

Sheets, 2001, p. 187

Level 3: Postconventional Level

Stage 5: Social Contract Orientation. What’s right is defined in terms of general individual rights and in terms of standards that have been agreed upon by the whole society. Laws are not “frozen” – they can be changed for the good of society

Stage 6: Universal Ethical Principle Orientation. What’s right is defined by decision of conscience according to self-chosen ethical principles. (“the golden rule”)

Sheetz, 2001, p.187

The Impact of Deafness on Moral Development

What affects the developmental process of children who are deaf:

Social Factors Linguistics Physical Psychological Audiological

Sheetz, 189

Assessing Levels of Moral Reasoning in DHH individuals The language structure in Kohlberg’s test was

modified for DHH students. Results showed these individuals:

were at stage 1 or stage 2, only a few at stage 3 reasoning. were unable to fully handle equality in reciprocity relationships. Rigid and egocentric in their thinking No inclination to compromise Self-preservation was of primary importance Appeared to know necessary social rules - love for family and

friends – but relationships beyond this was not carried over Those who were better readers scored higher

Sheetz, 192

Liberation From Adult Contraaints: Impact of Parental Discipline Techniques Discipline can be viewed in 3 categories

Power Assertion – physical power over the child

Love Withdrawal of Affection – expressing anger, withholding affection

Induction – pointing out the consequences of the child’s behavior

Sheetz, 194

Holstein (1968) – parents who engage in dialogues with their children pertaining to the issues in a dilemma produced the most advanced children on Kohlberg’s scale of moral reasoning

Baumrid (1980) – parents who discipline with power assertive techniques are found to base their morality on the fear of external punishments.

Sheetz, P.195

The Use of Discipline and Methods of Communication Studies conducted with deaf children of hearing parents,

investigators found:

Parents used power assertive discipline with their deaf child, not as apparent with the hearing child

Mothers of deaf children were more controlling and intrusive

Parents were less likely to delegate decision-making responsibilities the deaf child

Parents viewed physical punishments as more effective

Delay found in the development of moral reasoning in deaf children

Sheetz, 2001, p.195

Additional Insights into Deafness and Moral Development

Many studies emphasize the lag of development in deaf individuals, however the following should be observed:

Most of the research does not take into consideration the delay in cognitive development in deaf individuals

When adults were studied, they were frequently taken from clinical settings. This may indicate an amount of psychological problems

Few studies have been designed specifically for use within the Deaf subculture – environmental differences were not considered

Sheetz, 2001, p. 197

Social Learning and Values Clarification

Moral behavior = the framework within which judgments are made

Values - used as an assessment of behavior along the dimensions of what is considered “good” or “bad”

Attitudes – a response to an opinion

Interests – an opinion that may change easily

Beliefs – “true or false”, “correct or incorrect

Sheetz, 2001, p. 198

The Acquisition of Values:

Values are acquired gradually through the learning process:

Achievement

Independence

Cleanliness

Values may be a matter of perception…Sheetz, 2001, p.199

Assumptions About the Nature of Human Values1. The total number of values that a person possesses is

relatively small

2. All men everywhere possess the same values to different degrees

3. Values are organized into value systems

4. The antecedents of human values can be traced to culture, society, and its institutions and personality

5. The consequences of human values will be manifested in virtually all phenomena that social scientists might consider worth investigating and understanding

Sheetz, 2001, p. 200

Clarifying Values: Ones values may be traced to personality, culture and society“Students must be provided with strategies that will enable them to recognize their values and incorporate them to their fullest, while simultaneously developing a tolerance for those who embrace a different value system”

Sheetz, 2001, p. 201

Deafness, Social Learning and Values Clarification

Deaf children tend to avoid spontaneous social interaction for fear of frustration -misunderstandings - conflicts

Contact with peers who share their communication mode within the Deaf culture remains active

Sheetz, 2001, p. 202