Cognitive Development Across the Lifespan

AP Psychology· difficulty 4/5

Researchers present a Heinz-style dilemma to participants and ask them to justify their answers. Participant A says, "He shouldn't steal because he could go to jail." Participant B says, "He should steal because human life is worth more than property, and laws that fail to protect life are unjust." Participant C says, "He shouldn't steal because good people follow the rules."

Carol Gilligan's main critique of Kohlberg's framework is that it:

  • A

    Fails to use longitudinal data

  • B

    Confuses moral reasoning with religious belief

  • C

    Overestimates children's reasoning ability

  • D

    Underemphasizes an ethic of care and relationships often found in women's reasoning

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Explanation

Gilligan argued that Kohlberg's stages, derived primarily from male samples, privileged a justice orientation and undervalued an ethic of care emphasizing relationships and responsibility, which she observed more often in women's moral reasoning.

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