Gilligan’s theory on moral development differed from Kohlberg’s theory because Gilligan considered which population not addressed by Kohlberg?

Gilligan’s theory on moral development primarily focused on the differences in moral reasoning between genders, specifically emphasizing the experiences and perspectives of women that she felt were not adequately addressed by Kohlberg’s theory. While Kohlberg proposed a universal stage theory of moral development based largely on male subjects, Gilligan argued that this framework neglected the moral dilemmas and values emphasized in female experiences, particularly those concerning relationships, care, and empathy.

In her view, women often prioritize relationships and the ethical implications of decisions on others, rather than solely focusing on justice and rules, which were more prominent in Kohlberg’s stages. This led Gilligan to assert that moral development is not only about cognitive reasoning but also about considerations of care and the social context of moral dilemmas. Thus, the population not addressed by Kohlberg that Gilligan highlighted was primarily women, stressing the importance of including diverse perspectives in understanding moral development.