Gilligan’s Theory of Moral Development (Carol Gilligan, 1980s) – a revision of Lawrence Kohlberg’s Moral Develop Theorythat began with a concern that the original theory was founded on research with males only. Gilligan’s model was based on research with women. It follows Kohlberg’s stages, adding qualifications to each stage and inserting “transitions” between them:
- Preconventional Level (Preconventional Morality)– as described above. In Gilligan’s Theory of Moral Development, it is suggested that a woman at this level will put her own needs first.
- Transition One – associated with realizations that one may have been thinking/operating selfishly and that one as responsibilities to/for others
- Conventional Level(Conventional Morality) – as described above. In Gilligan’s Theory of Moral Development, it is suggested that a woman at this level will prioritize other needs over her own.
- Transition Two – associated with realizations that one’s needs are as important as others’ needs and that one must thus balance one’s obligations to self and other
- Postconventional Level(Postconventional Morality) – as described above. In Gilligan’s Theory of Moral Development, it is suggested that a woman at this level will take control of her own life while showing concern and extending care to others
Please cite this article as:
Davis, B., & Francis, K. (2023). “Gilligan’s Theory of Moral Development” in Discourses on Learning in Education. https://learningdiscourses.com.
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