The Theory of Moral Development (How can children differ between right and wrong?)

Abstract

This research looks at the work of Jean Piaget, Lawrence Kohlberg and Carol Gilligan. This research draws upon mostly primary sources including memoirs, published articles, and collections of the Literature Review. Most prior research on Kohlberg focuses on his theory of moral development and how children can differ between right and wrong. Morality (from the Latin word “moralitas“that means “manner, character, and proper behavior”) is the differentiation of intentions, decisions, and actions between those that are good (or right) and those that are bad (or wrong). It is determined by how one's genetic makeup interacts with the environment. The development of morality has been a subject of investigation for a number of decades, and our understanding of neuro-biological and a psychological mechanism has increased manifolds in the last few decades. Development of morality has been of particular significance to psychiatric literature because of its significant contribution to the development of one's personality and it's aberration in various disorders.