PPT: Piaget`s Theory of Moral Development | Child Development and Pedagogy for CTET Preparation - CTET & State TET PDF Download

 Page 1


Piaget's Theory of Moral 
Development
Page 2


Piaget's Theory of Moral 
Development
Introduction to Moral 
Development
1
Definition
How children develop their understanding of right and 
wrong through social and cultural learning.
2
Kohlberg's Perspective
Links moral development to cognitive growth and 
universal principles.
3
Piaget's Approach
Treats morality as a constructivist process built 
through experience.
4
Piaget's Focus
Examines children's moral reasoning rather than their 
behavioral compliance.
Page 3


Piaget's Theory of Moral 
Development
Introduction to Moral 
Development
1
Definition
How children develop their understanding of right and 
wrong through social and cultural learning.
2
Kohlberg's Perspective
Links moral development to cognitive growth and 
universal principles.
3
Piaget's Approach
Treats morality as a constructivist process built 
through experience.
4
Piaget's Focus
Examines children's moral reasoning rather than their 
behavioral compliance.
Piaget's Areas of Interest in Moral 
Development
Rules
Origins
Flexibility
Authority
Moral Responsibility
Blame
Intent vs. Impact
Accident vs. Choice
Justice
Fair Punishment
Natural Consequences
Children progress through two key moral stages as they develop:
Heteronomous morality (rules are absolute)
Autonomous morality (rules are flexible)
Page 4


Piaget's Theory of Moral 
Development
Introduction to Moral 
Development
1
Definition
How children develop their understanding of right and 
wrong through social and cultural learning.
2
Kohlberg's Perspective
Links moral development to cognitive growth and 
universal principles.
3
Piaget's Approach
Treats morality as a constructivist process built 
through experience.
4
Piaget's Focus
Examines children's moral reasoning rather than their 
behavioral compliance.
Piaget's Areas of Interest in Moral 
Development
Rules
Origins
Flexibility
Authority
Moral Responsibility
Blame
Intent vs. Impact
Accident vs. Choice
Justice
Fair Punishment
Natural Consequences
Children progress through two key moral stages as they develop:
Heteronomous morality (rules are absolute)
Autonomous morality (rules are flexible)
Heteronomous Morality (5-9 yrs)
Definition
Moral realism is when children view morality as a 
set of external rules that must be strictly obeyed.
Key Characteristics
Rules come from authority figures and breaking 
them results in inevitable punishment 
(immanent justice)
Punishment should match wrongdoing severity 
(expiatory punishment)
Rules are seen as absolute and unchangeable
Actions are judged by their consequences, not 
intentions
Research Findings
Piaget's research used moral stories to understand children's reasoning:
Marie wanted to surprise her mother by helping with sewing, but accidentally cut a big hole in her dress.
Margaret took her mother's scissors without permission and while playing with them, made a small hole in her 
dress.
Page 5


Piaget's Theory of Moral 
Development
Introduction to Moral 
Development
1
Definition
How children develop their understanding of right and 
wrong through social and cultural learning.
2
Kohlberg's Perspective
Links moral development to cognitive growth and 
universal principles.
3
Piaget's Approach
Treats morality as a constructivist process built 
through experience.
4
Piaget's Focus
Examines children's moral reasoning rather than their 
behavioral compliance.
Piaget's Areas of Interest in Moral 
Development
Rules
Origins
Flexibility
Authority
Moral Responsibility
Blame
Intent vs. Impact
Accident vs. Choice
Justice
Fair Punishment
Natural Consequences
Children progress through two key moral stages as they develop:
Heteronomous morality (rules are absolute)
Autonomous morality (rules are flexible)
Heteronomous Morality (5-9 yrs)
Definition
Moral realism is when children view morality as a 
set of external rules that must be strictly obeyed.
Key Characteristics
Rules come from authority figures and breaking 
them results in inevitable punishment 
(immanent justice)
Punishment should match wrongdoing severity 
(expiatory punishment)
Rules are seen as absolute and unchangeable
Actions are judged by their consequences, not 
intentions
Research Findings
Piaget's research used moral stories to understand children's reasoning:
Marie wanted to surprise her mother by helping with sewing, but accidentally cut a big hole in her dress.
Margaret took her mother's scissors without permission and while playing with them, made a small hole in her 
dress.
Children's Responses to Moral Dilemmas
1
Younger Children's Response
Children under 10 evaluate actions purely by 
their consequences. They view bigger 
accidents as worse than intentional small 
damage, showing moral realism.
2
Understanding of Lies
Children judge lies by the magnitude of the 
falsehood rather than intent or plausibility.
3
Views on Punishment
They believe punishment must directly match 
the severity of wrongdoing, favoring strict 
penalties.
4
Immanent Justice
Children believe misbehavior automatically 
leads to punishment, attributing accidents to 
prior misconduct.
5
Interpretation of Misfortune
They view misfortunes as moral punishments 
rather than random events, seeing nature as 
enforcing moral rules.