Learning Log: Social & Moral Development

What?

Factors that affect social and moral development include: Previous performance, self-efficacy, behavior of others, comparison, expectations, or group membership.

Children develop from concrete thought to abstract thought. In childhood, perceptions of self are concrete and optimistic.

In early adolescence, students see themselves as in front of the 'imaginary audience'. They believe that everyone is constantly watching their every mistake and blunder. They also view themselves as invincible. They truly believe that every experience and emotion they have is completely unique to only them in the whole history of the entire world.

In late adolescence, their general sense of identity is integrated by a multifaceted sense of self.

Erik Erikson was a famous researcher who developed a widely accepted theory on the Stages of Psychosocial Development. His stages include:
1. Trust vs. Mistrust
2.Autonomy vs. Shame & doubt
3. Initiative vs. Guilt
4. Industry vs. Inferiority
5. Identity vs. Role Confusion
6. Intimacy vs. Isolation
7. Generativity vs. Stagnation
8. Integrity vs. Despair
(I will add that I did those from memory using the peg mnemonic ;)

Moral development is also integral to the education system. There are differences between moral transgressions and conventional transgressions. We as educators can most definitely teach moral transgressions, as they are accepted by all people (generally), such as 'do not kill' etc.

Kohlberg's theory of Moral Reasoning is:
Preconventional Reasoning:
1. Punishment avoidance/obedience
2.Individualism/exchange of favors
Conventional Reasoning
3. Good boy/good girl
4. Law & order
PostConventional Reasoning:
5. Social contract
6.Universal ethical principle.

So What?

As educators, we are going to see students in all sorts of stages of psychosocial development and moral reasoning. We need to be able to adjust our teaching and approach in order to be able to better serve thos students. We cannot just simply ignore where each student is, what situation they have come from, or what effects may be left over from a difficult past. We should be able to work with them in hopes of advancing them toward higher psychosocial and moral development. We as educators must be aware of what stages are present in our classroom.


Now What?

As I prepare to become an educator in a high school setting someday, it is important for me to understand where my students are coming from. If I can learn to observe and learn more about their learning through what stage they are in, I can better serve them as their teacher.
In my classroom, I plan on having a one-on-one discussion with each student at least once a term. This setting will allow me to personally interact with my students, see how they are progressing, assess what stage of development they may be in, and talk to them about their personal performance and grades. I believe implementing a caring atmosphere in these settings will allow me to further understand where each student is coming from.

The things I can do in my own classroom to better foster development include: A safe environment where students can speak their mind. An environment where each student feels empowered and able to act. A classroom where the students have choices about their education. A class where praise is givin liberally for achievements, no matter how small. A classroom that allows them to interact with peers that they normally would not talk to, and explore their own role in society, and a classroom that encourages them to set goals for their futures.