description Carol Gilligan Overview
Carol Gilligan is an American psychologist whose work examines moral development, relationships, and the place of gender in psychological theory. In her 1982 book In a Different Voice, she argued that influential accounts such as Lawrence Kohlberg's placed insufficient value on reasoning organized around care, responsibility, and relationships. Her critique helped establish the ethics of care as an important approach in psychology, education, feminist theory, and moral philosophy.
help Carol Gilligan FAQ
What is Carol Gilligan's theory of moral development?
Carol Gilligan argued that psychological frameworks overly valued a male-centric approach to moral reasoning. She introduced the concept of an "ethic of care," suggesting women tend to resolve moral dilemmas through relationships and empathy rather than abstract rules.
What is "In a Different Voice" by Carol Gilligan?
"In a Different Voice" is a landmark 1982 book published by Gilligan that challenged traditional psychological theories. The book argued that influential accounts of human development marginalized the female perspective by labeling their reasoning as less mature.
Did Carol Gilligan work with Lawrence Kohlberg?
Yes, Gilligan worked closely with Lawrence Kohlberg at Harvard University during the 1970s. She became a major critic of his six-stage theory of moral development, pointing out that his research only studied upper-middle-class boys.
What is the "care vs. justice" debate in psychology?
This debate stems directly from Gilligan's critique of Kohlberg, contrasting his focus on universal rights and justice with her focus on interpersonal care. Gilligan demonstrated that emphasizing abstract rules ignores the contextual, relational reality of how many women view morality.
explore Explore More
Reviews & Comments
Write a Review
Be the first to review
Share your thoughts with the community and help others make better decisions.
