Compare and contrast Nancy Eisenbergs model of prosocial reasoning with Lawrence Kohlbergs theory of moral development

Running Head : THEORY OF MORAL DEVELOPMENT

Eisenberg 's and Kohlberg 's Theory of Moral Development

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Eisenberg 's and Kohlberg 's Theory of Moral Development

Understanding human behaviors is the main focus of psychology of which morality is an important part . There had been models that had established regarding this study and are Nancy Eisenberg 's and Lawrence Kohlberg 's theories of moral development are to of them . The main similarity between the two models is that they both try to categorize developmental behaviors and reasoning

of humans . Also , their models suggest that as each individual reaches a higher stage of reasoning they develop their values , their reasoning and response to certain situations . Both suggest that as a person moves from one stage to higher stage , they become more reasonable in what they do , they become less of a child in terms of reasoning and proving the validity of their actions

Kohlberg 's model classifies behaviors and reasoning stages into three groups : the reasoning of a child , the reasoning of an adult and a principled level . On the other hand , no such classification can be seen in Eisenberg 's model . Still although not seen , the trend in the stages in Eisenberg 's model also suggests the trend of morality development in Kohlberg 's model . It can be said that they have the same trend or pattern in the development of human morality and reasoning

Although the two models are considered to be different and the one (Eisenberg 's model ) is known to had been developed in contrast to Kohlberg 's model , there are still some similarities that can be found in the two models . As an individual get into a higher stage , they develop and become more mature . In both model , the stages grows from being a reason of a child to the reason of a man , having his or her own sets of belief and driven by his or her own set /sets of value /values that are important in their own perspective in defining what is right from what is wrong , what is and not to be done

It can also be seen that there are some stages that can be found in Eisenberg 's model that seems to have an equal or a similar stage in Kohlberg 's model . Both model is consist of a stage wherein the selfishness of a child is shown and can be seen in his or her reasoning In this stage , the main focus of reasoning and notion of what is good and what is bad is based on that person 's needs and wants . Good things are considered because it favors the person and vice versa

Another stage that can be seen in both models is the stage wherein the person reasons and acts because he or she is driven by the desire of approval . They perceive the goodness of a certain action based on the approval of those that surrounds them . They desire to be good...