Morality as a Cross-Cutting Theme to Broaden and Deepen Understanding of Psychology as a Science

Introductory Psychology balances breadth and depth, aiming to inspire students with a profound, scientific understanding beyond common sense. College students don't need professors to ignite their passion about morality; it's an intrinsically interesting topic with self-evident real-world implications. Through puzzling to think science can say something about morality, Psychology helps understand both cross-culturally universal perspectives and underlying moral conflicts. Morality's contentious nature makes it a fascinating class topic. Lawrence Kohlberg (1969) proposed a classic stage model of moral development, challenged by Carol Gilligan's (1977) feminist critique. Jonathan Haidt (2012) critiqued psychology's liberal bias. These examples showcase respectful disagreement and science's self-correcting nature. Studies of morality span Psychology branches: Developmental (Kohlberg, Gilligan, Damon, Kochanska), Social (Haidt, Latane & Darley), Social-Cognitive (Game Theory, judgments of fairness), Biological (evolution, instincts), and Clinical (empathy, lack of empathy in psychopaths). The 2014 American Psychological Association report recommends emphasizing the scientific method, diversity, ethics, individual differences, and foundational Psychology branches. Morality, as a core topic, integrates these recommendations, engaging students with a deep understanding and showcasing Psychology's diverse breadth.