Kohlberg’s theory of moral development

the concept that the cognitive processes associated with moral judgment develop through a number of universal variant stages. According to the theory, there are three main levels: the preconventional level, the conventional level, and the postconventional level. Broadly speaking, the morally developed individual moves from a selfish concern with rewards and punishments, through a reliance on fixed rules and conventional attitudes, to a position of independent principled judgment. See also Heinz dilemma. [Lawrence Kohlberg]

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Psychology term of the day

July 27th 2024

Flynn effect

the gradual cross-cultural rise in raw scores obtained on measures of general intelligence. These increases have been roughly 9 points per generation (i.e., 30 years). The gains have been unequally distributed across the different kinds of abilities, with fluid abilities showing substantially greater gains than crystallized abilities (see Cattell–Horn theory of intelligence). [James Flynn (1934– ), New Zealand philosopher who first documented its occurrence]