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Kohlberg’s Theory of Moral Development

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Bibliography

  • Lawerence Kohlberg born October 25, 1927, Bronxville, New York,U.S
  • He died January 17,1987, Boston, Massachusetts.
  • He was an American psychologist and educator
  • His father name was Alfred Kohlberg( was a silk merchant of Jewish ancestry and mother name is Charlotte Albrecht Kohlberg( Protestant and a skilled amateur chemist)
  • Field: Psychology
  • Kohlberg expanded on the earlier work of cognitive theorist Jean Piaget to explain the moral development of children.

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Basic principles of moral development theory

  • Due to cognitive development , individual can differentiate between physical environment and social environ ment.
  • Interaction
  • Justice( according to Kohlberg moral development is acognitive development)
  • i)Manifest behavior

ii) Intention of behavior and

iii) Consequence

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Three factors of moral development

  • Cognitive development
  • Cognitive conflict
  • Role taking ability

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Three stages of Moral Development

Level

Stages and age range

Characteristics

A. Pre-conventional level

1.Stage of Heterono mans Morality

( Infancy)

Punishment/ obedience orientation( Behaviour is determined by consequences. The individual will obey in order to avoid punishment.)

2. Stage of Individualist Morality

(Pre-school)

Instrumental purpose orientation( Behaviour is determined again by consequences. The individual focuses on receiving rewards of satisfying personal needs)

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B. Conventional Level

Level

Stages

Characteristics

B. Conventional level

3.Stage of Interpersonal expectation Morality

(School age)

Good boy/nice girl orientation( Behaviour is determined by social approval. The individual wants to maintain or win the affection and approval of others by being a “good person”

4.Stage of Morality of social system and conscience

(School age)

Law and order orientation( Social rules and laws determine behavior. The individual now takes into consideration a larger perspective, that of societal laws. Moral decision making becomes more than consideration of close ties to others. The individual believes that rules and law maintain social order that is worth preserving.

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C. Post-Conventional Level

Level

Stages

Characteristics

C. Post-conventional level or principled level

5.Stage of Morality of Social contract

(Teens)

Social contract orientation(Individual rights determine behavior. The individual views laws and rules as flexible tools for improving human purpose. That is, given the right situation, there are exceptions to rules. When laws are non consistent with individual rights and the interests of the majority, it does not bring about good for people and alternatives should be considered.

6. Stage of Morality of Universal Ethics

(Adutlhood)

According to Kohlberg, this is the highest stage of functioning. However, he claimed that some individuals will never reach this level. At this stage, the appropriate action is determined by one’s self-chosen ethical principles of conscience. These principles are abstract and universal in application

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Level-1�Pre-conventional Morality

In this stage

  • Children learn a fear of punishment/obedience
  • Self-interest
  • Usually occurs in early childhood development

Stage-1(Obedience & Punishment)

  • Earliest stage of moral development
  • Common in young children- they see rules as fixed and absolute
  • Morality is external

-At this stage, children see rules as fixed and absolute.

-Obeying the rules is important because it is a means to avoid punishment

Stage-2( Individualism and Exchange)

  • At this stage of moral development, children account for individual points of view and judge actions based on how they serve individual needs.
  • In the Heinz Dilemma, children argue that the best course of action was the choice that best served Heinz’s needs.
  • Reciprocity is possible at this point in moral development, but only if it serves one’s own interest.(https://www.slideshare.net/mobile/sgrinage1/kohlbergs-theory-on-moral-development)

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��Level-2(Conventional Morality)In this stage�.Teens learn to conform to others�. Rules/Laws are upheld�.Usually occurs around middle school���

Stage-3(Interpersonal Relationship)

  • Often referred to as the “Good boy- good girl ” orientation
  • At this stage children who are by now usually entering their teens, see morality as more than simple deals.
  • Stage of moral development is focused on living up to social expectation and roles( of the family and community). There is an emphasis on conformity, being “nice”, and behave in” good” ways.
  • Good behavior means having good motives and interpersonal feelings such as love, empathy, trust, and concern for others.

https://www.slideshare.net/mobile/sgrinage1/kohlbergs-theory-on-moral-development

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Stage 4(Maintaining Social Order)

  • People begin to consider society as a whole when making judgment
  • Law and Order

-Focus on maintaining law and order and obeying laws

-Heinz’s motives

-Consequences of breaking the law

Source-https://www.slideshare.net/mobile/sgrinage1/kohlbergs-theory-on-moral-development

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Level-3( Post-Conventional Morality)-In this stage.Young adults develop their own ideas on important issues�.Alternatives are considered�.Ideas are based on principles�.Usually occurs around the college years

  • Stage-5(Social Contract and individual rights)
  • At this stage, people begin to account for the differing values, opinions and beliefs of other people.
  • Rules and laws are important for maintaining a society, but members of the society should agree upon these standards.

https://www.slideshare.net/mobile/sgrinage1/kohlbergs-theory-on-moral-development

  • Stage-6(Universal Principles)
  • Based on universal ethical principles and abstract reasoning.
  • Based upon respect for universal principle and the demands of individual conscience

-Takes an idealized look at how people might coordinate their interests

  • At this stage, people follow these internalized principles of justice, even if they conflict with laws and rules
  • Define the principles by which agreement will be most just.

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References