Discussion Questions on Psychology: Components of Moral Behavior and Moral Development

(1) How strong or weak am I in each of the four components of moral behavior (moral reasoning, moral sensitivity, moral motivation, & moral character)? Illustrate using specific examples.

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Moral reasoning: - I have great moral reasoning since I am good at decision making. I come up with the solutions that I am sure they will not put me in trouble with authority or negatively influencing the life of others. Foer example in the working environment, If I would like to impress my boss, I first have to look at, what makes my boss happy. Obviously, if I deliver a quality performance on the job, my boss will be happy since I am helping the company to excel.

Moral sensitivity:

My values will influence others in different cases. We may be compassionate to only our family and friends; though when I come across a beggar in the street, and I have some pocket change, I can extend my compassionate and give the beggar some of the few coins I have. It is the decision that I have made, and it has affected the other person in one way or another.

Moral motivation. In the case, whereby I realize that my spouse has been cheating on me, there are decisions that I can make apart from killing anyone or committing suicide. I would abort the relationship and divorce since she is the one who preferred the other person and not me. I might conclude that the marriage institution is not right and I am not supposed to hold my spouse to the marital vows. There are other options that I can use to settle such issue, provided that in each case I should maintain my life to be better.

Moral character: A good example is an act of revenge. Sometimes in life, I get myself in a situation whereby I feel hurt and want to retaliate or avenge another person. For instance, noticing that someone stole conned me my money and yet he pretends that he is my friend. It is painful, and it may prompt someone to revenge; however, there are legal means that I can use to have my money back without putting myself into trouble.

(2) So far does my outlook on ethics fit better into the justice perspective or the care perspective? Explain.

My moral outlook best fit into justice perspective when I can distinguish what is wrong and right, also to be able to judge the effects of different options I would take while making the decision to various events.

(3) At what stage or level would I rate my moral development? Explain. How has my morality developed since I was younger?

The level at which I would rate my moral development is when I will be able to be obedient to the authority hence avoiding punishment, and also have a healthy interpersonal relationship with others.

(4) Describe the character of the person you'd like to be. What can I do to strengthen the areas I am weaker in, and to continue to develop morally going forward?

The person whom I admire his character and I would like to be the late Nelson Mandela. He possesses the heart of humility, forgiveness, and respect despite how oppressed he was. I can enhance my moral values by following the teachings of Plato and Aristotle regarding moral values as well as perusing the lessons taught by the former legendary leader Nelson Mandela.

(5) At least two ethical values or ideals which individuals and/or society ought to strive for, and my explanation/justification:

The two values that I think the society ought to embrace are:

RESPECT FOR OTHERS: Every person needs to have respect for other people's possessions and life. No one should take the decision of taking away someone's life as the solution to the problem; instead, they can seek help from a mediator.

ACCOUNTABILITY: In every action that one takes, they have to know that they need to be responsible for it in the case of any consequences, and they need to remember that they will have no one to blame. Therefore, before they embark in doing anything, they have to consider its repercussion to them as well as others.