Final answer:
Carol Gilligan's corrective to Kohlberg's research suggested that moral development is gender-specific, with males and females approaching morality from justice and care perspectives, respectively. Her work led to the development of care ethics and underscored the need for gender-inclusive research.
Step-by-step explanation:
Carol Gilligan's corrective to Kohlberg's research on moral development primarily involves proposing that moral development is gender-specific. She challenged Kohlberg's theory, which was based on studies conducted only on male subjects, by suggesting that morality is understood differently by different genders. According to her findings, males typically adhere to a justice perspective that focuses on rules and laws, while females exhibit a care and responsibility perspective, prioritizing interpersonal relationships and contextual considerations in moral decision-making. Gilligan’s research, featuring in her book In a Different Voice: Psychological Theory and Women's Development, contended that women are not deficient in their moral reasoning compared to men; they simply approach ethical dilemmas from a different, yet equally valid, perspective.
Gilligan's insights led to the development of care ethics, which recognize the intrinsic value in caring for others, relationships, and responsibility. Her work provides a robust critique of previous moral development theories by highlighting the importance of including both male and female perspectives in psychological research.