Final answer:
Gilligan's Theory of Moral Development and Gender posits that males and females approach morality differently, with men focusing on justice and women on care and responsibility. The differences stem from socialization practices rather than inherent moral development stages.
Step-by-step explanation:
The theory that states males and females have different approaches to morality, with different goals, is Gilligan's Theory of Moral Development and Gender. Carol Gilligan criticized Lawrence Kohlberg's model for its potential gender bias, as it was only conducted on male subjects. She proposed that males typically possess a justice perspective, emphasizing rules and laws, while females have a care and responsibility perspective, focusing on the reasons behind people's actions and giving importance to interpersonal relationships.
Gilligan's research demonstrated that these different understandings are not an issue of morality development but rather the result of gender socialization. She believed that neither gender's perspective was superior but that they served different purposes in society. Despite this, it is essential to note the limitations of Gilligan's study due to its small sample size and lack of subsequent replication, indicating that these observed differences may not be universal.