Evolutionary and Maturational Underpinnings | California State University, Northridge

University:
California State University, Northridge
Course:
PSY 150 | Introduction to Psychology
Academic year:

2023
Views:

310

Pages:

1
Author:

Jithin J I

EVOLUTIONARY AND MATURATIONAL UNDERPINNINGS: GENERAL COGNITIVE AND EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT The evolution of morality remains debated. Some components may have evolved, like emotions or reasoning capacities, but full-blown moral stance probably did not directly evolve. Minimum maturation levels are needed for proto-moral behaviors to develop. Important changes in early childhood include:  Shift from concrete to abstract reasoning enabling moral judgment  Expanding social world broadening moral concerns  Increasing autonomy and self-regulation  Adopting standards reflecting more complex cognition and social world Key emerging capacities:  Ego processes like selective awareness needed for moral reasoning  Decentration for balancing all aspects of a moral dilemma  Self-concept distinct from others combined with empathy enables caring  Theory of mind for understanding others' intentions  Altruistic responsiveness to others' distress  Ethical sensitivity based on awareness of one's actions on others Moral Development Two dominant paradigms in studying moral development:  Cultural transmission model: morality is learned from society  Cognitive stage theory: morality develops through hierarchical stages reflecting increasing sophistication Both approaches seen as incomplete. An interactionist model integrating biological, cognitive, social and cultural influences may be most comprehensive.