Question

In Piaget’s Moral Development theory indicated that due to individuals entering a more formal cognitive state, there is a change in their moral reasoning and they enter Autonomous Morality. Which example(s) best represents Autonomous Morality? (Check all that apply)

		You are in so much trouble! My mom said we can’t go outside and you went outside.
		I broke the plate because I tripped, George broke one because he was clowning around.
		The rule is that you can’t eat an hour before you swim.
		I know you broke the TV set because your football team lost.
		The teacher said don’t use your phone, so you can’t use your phone.
		Mike hid the test because he didn’t study, not because he was trying to be funny.

Answer 1

Jean Piaget was a Swiss psychologist who studied children and their development very closely. His theory of moral development in children divides the development into two stages. While the first stage is heteronymous morality largely driven by fear of punishment and the innate authority of rules the second stage of moral development is the autonomous stage. This stage unlike the first stage isn't driven by fear of punishment or intrinsic authority of rules, but based on the understanding of the child that rules are made by people and for the sake of co-operation and smooth functioning between people and isn't about a one way power relationship. Thus the child is able to take into consideration the feelings, needs and wants of others as well.

Thus according to this theory following are the statements that represents autonomous morality :

• I broke the plate beaches I tripped, George broke one because he was clowning around: In this statement the child is able to understand the needs and motives of his peer behind the same action that he did and able to distinguish between his and his friend's motives behind the same action.
• I know you broke the tv set because your football team lost: In this statement as well the child is trying to assess why his friend broke the tv set instead of merely judging the behaviour as right or wrong. Thus being able to gauge the needs and motives behind the action, this statement represents autonomous morality.
• Mike hid the test because he didn't study, not because he was trying to be funny: In this statement the child is able to empathize and understand the motives and needs of Mike as to why he hid the test. Again, one way power relationship or intrinsic authority of rules isn't what is dominating the child's moral thinking but autonomous morality is.

The rest of the statements such as the first, third and fifth are based on innate authority of rules or fear of punishment thus not fulfilling the ceiteria of autonomous morality.