Moral Reasoning Theory

et al. 1989 as cited by Psychology 216, 2009). From this, the moral reasoning theory was developed based on the thinking of the University of Harvard Profession Lawrence Kohlberg and inspired by renowned philosophers Jean Piaget, John Dewey and James Baldwin Barger, 2000). It suggests that forms of aggression is related to the stage of moral reasoning or ethics amongst athletes who respect reward commitments in sports (see figure 1)

Figure 1: Kohlberg 6 stages of moral reasoning identifying the social orientation groups

Kohlberg believed that you could not skip a stage and not everyone reaches the highest stages even in adulthood. He believed social reasoning was related to social interaction. This is a very intriguing biological theory

(2000): A Summary of Robert Kohlberg’s Stages of Moral Development, University of Notre Dame. Retrieved from http://www.csudh.edu/dearhabermas/kohlberg01bk.htm

Coakley, J (2014); Cox (2007): Aggression and Violence in Sport Coakley Chapter 7, Cox Chapter 13 [Power Point Presentation] Retrieved from Wilson College Psychology ESS 330

Frankl, D (2001): Principles of Sociology and Psychology: Aggression and Violence in Sport, Unit 7, Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education, School of Health and Human Services, California State University, L.A. Retrieved from http://instructional1.calstatela.edu/dfrankl/curr/kin370/pe370u7.htm

Psychology 216 (2009): Introduction and Causes, Chapter 6. [Power point presentation]. Portland Community College. Retrieved from http://www.pcc.edu/staff/pdf/602/PSY216Chapter6PPT(introandcauses).pdf

Question # 2B

Due to wide variations, deviant behavior in sport is defined using 3 theoretical approaches. Using the functionalist theory it is defined as a rejection of the cultural goals or the means of attaining these goals, identifying that the wider the difference of the behavior is from the accepted norm of sports, the more deviant it is and is grounded in rules and punishment for those breaking the rules, considering those breaking the rules as weak and perhaps mentally disturbed (Coakley,

Sports have good developmental effects on young people, but can also lead to deviant behavior if not managed. There are instances where it is good to keep kids off the streets but then on the other hand some athletes do not serve as role models for aspiring athletes. Cox (2007) cites research that athletes do not have higher rates of deviant behavior than non-athletes, but have higher rates of alcohol and binge drinking and felony rates are concerning. Coakley (2014) cites an experiment study by Trulson, 1986 where 34 delinquent males underwent Tae Kwon Do training for 6 months. There were three groups with group 1 undergoing respect, fitness, self-control, Group 2 free sparring and self-defense techniques, and Group 3 jogging no training. The results shows that group 1 had fewer tendencies of delinquency while group 2 had an increased rate and no change was seen in group 3. Another study cited by Coakley (2014) by sociologist Eldon Snyder (1994) suggests that athletes can become separated from the community after bonding with team players. This can lead to