Examination according to Kohlberg's theory of mental moral development of fairy tales collected from Kirşehir

Fairy tales reflecting the wisdom of society, not the individual, the psychology, spirit, sociology, morality, etc. of the people they contain a lot of information on topics. Readers / listeners begin to learn through fairy-tale heroes which society accepts actions as right or wrong, which beliefs, customs, traditions and values, and which motifs and symbols are traditionalized. Universal and cultural values, prejudices, the existence of people of different characters, the reasons behind their actions, in short, tales that tell everything about human to humanity, are role models to children through heroes. They can affect children's language, mind, morality, personality and social development positively or negatively. In this study, fairy tales collected from Kırşehir were examined according to Kohlberg's theory of mental moral development by using a method other than stereotyped methods. In this context, first of all, fairy tales were compiled at the field and 100 fairy tales were transcribed. Then, Kohlberg's theory of moral development is examined, researched and studied, the formation of the specified theory, stages and levels were explained in detail. Then, the behavior of the main heroes of the tales idealized in the individual and social subconscious were examined according to the intentions under the behavior. in this way it was tried to be determined how ideal the moral of the heroes are. Comments were made on the underlying factors of the moral behavior of the heroes and the benefits and harms of compiled tales on the moral development of children. The moral development structure, moral values, cultural prejudices, distorted relations and so on of the region are examined through fairy tales examined in the context of their cultural contexts. Information was obtained and "people's morality" and "moral development level" were tried to be revealed. In 86 of the 100 fairy tales, events develop around one main hero, while 13 develop around two main heroes and two develop three main heroes. The moral development levels of these main heroes were classified according to Kohlberg's stages and examined under 10 titles. As a result of the examinations and evaluations, 43 (38%) of 112 heroes were at the pre-tradition level, 35 (31%) at the traditional level, 29 (26%) at the post-tradition level, and 5 (5%) at any level not placed. Fairy tales are not the product of the individual but of the society, so the data arise from them is on social morality, not the individual. When the result of this analysis is evaluated, it is concluded that the local people are at the lowest level in terms of moral development level. As a result of the investigations, the behaviors of 40 of 112 heroes were "the instrumental relativist orientation", 20 were "the universal-ethical-principle orientation", 19 were "good boy-nice girl orientation", 16 were "the law and order orientation", 9 were "the social-contract, legalistic orientation, generally with utilitarian overtones", 3 were "the punishment and obedience orientation" while the behaviors of the 5 heroes could not be placed in any stage of Kohlberg. Based on the relevant data, the fact that fairytale heroes idealized in the individual and social subconscious are in the "pure interest" stage shows that fairy tales are not ideal. In addition, it can be said that the naive main heroes are negative role models for children and will affect the moral development of children negatively. Key Words: Kirsehir tales, Lawrence Kohlberg, Kohlberg's intellectual moral development levels / stages, Erol Gungor, sociology of morality, public morality.