Developmental History and Development of Morality - Essay Example

According to Piaget’s theory of moral reasoning, children come to better learn morality when they work in groups with others. Piaget advanced that there is a way in which kids align to societal norms in terms of expectations and the process is active. He also observed that young children will look at issues in terms of how certain actions affect them or what the outcomes of actions are. On the other hand, much older children are more interested in the motive behind any action as opposed to the results of the particular action. The environment we grow up in or our developmental history is, therefore, a very important factor that influences our moral development.

            In the case study, for instance, Dick Gregory had to go to school to learn hate. As a young boy, he fell in love with Helene who is from a different social class but is well mannered, clean, and presentable. As a result of the friendship, Dick tries as much as possible to also look presentable, “I think I went to school then mostly to look at her. I brushed my hair and even got myself a little old handkerchief. It was a lady's handkerchief, but I didn't want Helene to see me wipe my nose on my hand.” There is no doubt in taking all the sacrifices, Dick is trying to conform to the expectations of societal expectations as dictated by the environment in the school.

            Considering that our development history and environment crucially influence our moral development process, it is therefore important to appreciate that our actions affect the way other people develop. The teacher’s attitudes in the case study greatly affected the two little children i.e. Dick and Helene.  By turning off Dicks hard work contribution and referring to him in derogatory terms, “We are collecting this money for you and your kind, Richard Gregory. If your Daddy can give fifteen dollars you have no business being on relief,” Helene felt for her friend and even cried. On the other hand, Dick did not want even to see her out of shame and therefore decided to walk out of school and stay for a long time.

            In conclusion, therefore, our moral development is greatly influenced by our environment and developmental history. As we grow up we tend to learn and conform to societal demands in terms of how to carry ourselves, what is right and what is wrong. Most parents try to teach their children how to behave and this is again dictated by societal standards.  Social, cultural, and rules of society, therefore, play a very important role in our moral development. Dick was working hard to conform to the standards at school and also because he thought by being chosen to clean the blackboard, the teacher liked him. The thrill came when he was demeaned by the same teacher and this action led him to walk out of school. He began seeing shame in everything considering he was coming from a humble background.