Theory of Moral Development – Carol Gilligan

Critic of the Kohlberg model due to the fact that the research subjects were all male. Gilligan contests that women develop a different sense of morality termed care perspective based around connectedness or relationships with others, interpersonal communications, and concern or empathy for those they are surrounded by.  Gilligan proposes that women have a difficult time viewing their morality in connection with the law b/c law is not personable.

Gilligan also proposes that women tend to sacrifice the well-being of themselves for the good of those they are committed to (whether in friendship, family, or intimate relationship).  Gilligan also created levels of moral development:

Level 1: Orientation to Personal Survival – focus on woman’s self-interest (much like the start of Kohlberg’s model)

                Transition 1: Transition from personal Selfishness to Responsibility – a woman realizes that she is not only responsible for herself, but also for other (unborn or not). Realizes her choices impact others

Level 2: Goodness as Self-Sacrifice – woman sacrifices well-being of self for well-being of others; dependent on what others think and think about her

                Transition 2: From Goodness to Reality – some of the personal self-interest returns but is more objective – include self – considers what is in the best interests of everyone

Level 3: The Morality of Nonviolent Responsibility – weights consequences of\ actions and accepts she will be responsible; hence, tends to make decisions more on her own w/o regard as to how others will view her

Zastrow, C.H. & Kirst-Ashman, K.K. (2004). Understanding Human Behavior. Thomson Learning, Inc., Belmont, CA. p. 262-264.