Cognitive Moral Development

A detailed Summary of Cognitive Moral Development

Stages of Cognitive Moral Development

American History X is a movie that reveals what individuals go through sometimes in order to reform themselves into better people both morally and ethically. Derek Vinyard, the main character, is the individual who experiences tough times in order to find his true identity. Throughout the movie, references are made to Derek's past with the use of flashbacks. Danny, his younger brother, idolizes him. As a result, it takes extra effort from Derek to attempt to prevent Danny from going down the wrong road that he had once traveled.

Derek was brought up in a household in which his father expressed racism toward minorities, especially blacks and Hispanics. For instance, when the entire family was sitting at the dinner table, Derek's father made it a point to explain to Derek that affirmative action is totally unconstitutional. From this, Derek became part of an organization that called themselves the DOC. The members of this group displayed hatred and disrespect to minorities through their actions and verbal abuse. While part of the DOC, Cameron Alexander, the founder, informed Derek that he wanted him to be the leader. Derek took the position with open arms and was accepted b

From part of the time that Derek was in prison until now, he has been reasoning in Stage 5/6. Derek has totally changed from being an extreme racist to expressing that there is equality between all people. He has broken down the barriers that prevented him from seeing a colorful world. During this time, his actions compare nothing to what they were before. He revealed tolerance to different views of another individual when he engaged in conversations with two black men. Derek became more open to different ideas instead of being closed off. Also, when Derek decided to steer clear of the DOC, it indicated that he thought their beliefs were morally wrong in his eyes. He did not have the slightest care in the world if there were going to be any consequences when he did this. And finally, by keeping Danny away from the DOC, Derek showed that he was mostly concerned with right and wrong conduct. He did not want his brother to practice what he knew was wrong, which was belo!

While in prison, Derek's experiences stemmed a change of mentality, which contributed toward the movement to a more advanced level of moral development. Change began to occur when Derek associated himself with a black individual at the job that he maintained in prison. In the world he was living in before, he would have had nothing to say but discriminatory statements toward him. After two years had passed, Dr. Sweeney brought him reading material that discussed how racism is wrong. In the conversation they had, Dr. Sweeney asked, "Has anything you've done made your life better?" Derek responded by nodding his head no and crying in the arms of Dr. Sweeney.

During Derek's stay in prison, which last three years, his views toward minorities changed. Derek landed a job in prison with a black individual. At first, Derek was reluctant to carry on any sort of conversation with him. But, as time passed on, a friendship between the two was formed. In addition, a former black high school professor, Dr. Sweeney, visited with Derek and discussed racial issues. At this point, Derek has disowned his prejudice views against minorities.

nging to a white power organization.

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For example, Derek gained respect from the DOC with what he preached and what he did. Outside of a Mexican-owned grocery store, everyone listened to Derek, as he motivated the group to express their racist views through violence. The speech was about how blacks and Hispanics have more benefits than those who are actually born in the

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Approximate Word count = 1735
Approximate Pages = 7 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: Science