Evaluate methodology in Kohlberg's research

Evaluate the methodology used by Kohlberg (1968) in his research 'The child as a moral philosopher' (6 marks)

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Use of longitudinal study
Around 12 years, with participants, reinterviewed every 3 years
Used semi-structured interviews consisting of 10 or so questions with an interview of 2 hours
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What did this allow Kolhberg to assess?
Kohlberg had enough data to compare and assess the changes in moral development of the body over the 12 year period / how morality changed as they got older with age -> internal validity
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Although a problem with this is...
Longitudinal studies more likely to suffer from sample attrition -> meaning participants might drop out for a number of reasons like illness, moving away, or losing the motivation to participate
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Why can sample attrition cause issues?
It can influence the results of the longitudinal study as it no longer reflects the original representative sample and threatens the validity of the experiment.
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Kolhberg's use of moral dilemmas
e.g. Heinz 'would you steal the drug' -> lacks realism due to it being a hypothetic situation, reducing the economical validity of the study
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Why is this an issue?
The results found aren't that reliable as the participants wouldn't know how to react unless they're actually in that situation, examining what the boys say they would do rather than what they actually do
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Moral dilemmas not suitable
Not relevant to participants' life -> younger boys not being able to understand the dilemmas due to their age.
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Advantage of moral dilemmas
By using similar hypothetical moral dilemmas it allows for an objective comparison across the sample group
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Use of cross-cultural study
Used participants from United States, Great Britain, Canada, Mexico, Turkey and Taiwan -> allows him to assess whether moral development is universal or culturally specific ( this is a strength )
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A disadvantage of cross-cultural study
It is hindered by techniques developed from one culture in which they use to assess others and the differences in questions asked to those in Taiwan.
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Overall Analysis
The methodology shows elements of cross-cultural comparison and internal validity due to the longitudinal studies, however, it could have been hindered by sample attrition as well as a lack of economical validity and could lead to bias
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Card 2

Front

What did this allow Kolhberg to assess?

Back

Kohlberg had enough data to compare and assess the changes in moral development of the body over the 12 year period / how morality changed as they got older with age -> internal validity

Card 3

Front

Although a problem with this is...

Back

Preview of the front of card 3

Card 4

Front

Why can sample attrition cause issues?

Back

Preview of the front of card 4

Card 5

Front

Kolhberg's use of moral dilemmas

Back

Preview of the front of card 5
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