Cognitive Moral Development theory was first developed by Jean Piaget in order to explain the mental processes that occur when deriving meaning from experience. From this theory. Lawrence Kohlberg developed the hypothesis that the higher the moral reasoning, the higher the ethical decision.
Moral intent, also referred to as moral reasoning (Hunt & Vitell, 1986), is derived from an individual’s values. It most often comes from religious studies, individual thought or observations. Research in moral reasoning is important because moral reasoning enables us to understand differences in modes of thinking and may explain moral action (Blasi, 1980).
Most leading models of ethical decision –making (Rest, 1986; Ferrell, Gresham …show more content…
Kohlberg (1969) proposed that advanced moral reasoning requires a highly developed capacity for advanced logical reasoning. He hypothesized that moral development should follow a cognitive developmental process. In a moral dilemma, an individual with poorly developed logical reasoning abilities would be unable to recognize and analyze the complex relationships among all the elements involved. As a result, this individual would not be able to recognize all the possible options and consequences that might result from a particular course of action. According to Goolsby and Hunt, (1992) moral reasoning provides the underlying cognitive structure in cognitive moral development. Without adequate moral reasoning, a person would not be able to gather the rightful needs of all those involved into a judgement satisfying a moral ideal. The cognitive moral development approach to moral reasoning builds upon the progressive way an individual acquires, over time, an accurate understanding of the nature of moral obligations in complex social systems (Rest