Kohlberg's Theory

Lawrence Kohlberg

Expanded on the earlier work of cognitive theorist, Jean Piaget

Explained the moral development of children, which he believed follows a series of stages

Kohlberg’s Theory of Moral Development

states that we progress through 3 levels of moral thinking that build in our cognitive development

Lawrence Kohlberg

Author of a three-stage theory on how moral reasoning develops

Moral reasoning

the aspect of cognitive development that has to do with the way an individual reasons about moral decisions

Kohlberg’s Theory of Moral Development

Assessed moral reasoning by posing hypothetical moral dilemmas and examining the reasoning behind people’s answers

Preconventional

Conventional

Postconventional

Each level is based on the degree to which a person conforms to conventional standards of society.

3 distinct levels of moral reasoning

2 stages

Each level has ___ stages that represent different degrees of sophistication in moral reasoning.

Kohlberg's Moral Ladder

What was the term for the 3 distinct levels of moral reasoning

normal development

Ideally, people should progress through the 3 stages as part of _____ development

Preconventional

characterized by the desire to avoid punishment or gain reward

Preconventional

moral reasoning is based on external rewards and punishments

Preconventional

reasoner’s judge the morality of an action by its direct consequences

Preconventional

typically children under the age of 10

Punishment & Obedience

Mutual benefit

Stages 1 & 2 (Preconventional)

Punishment & Obedience

A focus on direct consequences

Punishment & Obedience

Negative actions will result in punishments

Mutual Benefit

Getting what one wants often requires giving something up in return

Mutual Benefit

“Right” is a fair exchange.

Morals guided by what is “fair”

Conventional

primary concern is to fit in and play the role of a good citizen

Conventional

people have a strong desire to follow the rules and laws.

Conventional

laws and rules are upheld simply because they are laws and rules

Conventional

typical of adolescents and adults

Interpersonal Expectations

Law-and-Order

Stages 3 & 4 (Conventional)

Interpersonal Expectations

An attempt to live up to the expectations of important others

Interpersonal Expectations

Follow rules or do what others would want so that you win their approval

Interpersonal Expectations

Negative actions will harm those relationships

Law-and-Order

To maintain social order, people must resist personal pressures and follow the laws of the larger society.

Respect the laws & authority.

Postconventional

aka principled level

Postconventional

characterized by references to universal ethical principles that represent protecting the rights or of all people

Postconventional

reasoning based on personal moral standards

Postconventional

most adults do not reach this level.

Legal Principles

Universal Moral Principles

Stages 5 & 6 (Postconventional)

Legal Principles

Must protect the basic rights of all people by upholding the legal principles of fairness, justice, equality & democracy.

Legal Principles

Laws that fail to promote general welfare or that violate ethical principles can be changed, • Self-chosen ethical principlesreinterpreted, or abandoned

Universal Moral Principles

Self-chosen ethical principles

Universal Moral Principles

Profound respect for sanctity of human life, nonviolence, equality & human dignity

Universal Moral Principles

Moral principles take precedence over laws that might conflict with them,

Universal Moral Principles

Conscientious objectors – refuses to be drafted because they are morally opposed to war.

Heinz shouldn’t steal the drug because he’d go to jail if he got caught.

Heinz should steal the drug because they’re being greedy by charging so much.

Heinz should try to steal the drug because that’s how devoted a husband he is.

Heinz should not steal the drug because that would be against the law.

Heinz should steal the drug to save his wife’s life because it’s more important than the law.

Heinz should steal the drug even if the person was a stranger and not his wife (focus on value of human life)

1. Heinz shouldn’t steal the drug because he’d go to jail if he got caught.

2. Heinz should steal the drug because the druggist is charging too much.

3. Heinz should try to steal the drug as a devoted husband would do.

4. Heinz should not steal the drug because he has a duty to uphold the law.

5. Heinz should steal the drug because he’s obligated to save his wife’s life first

6. Heinz should steal the drug even if the person was a stranger and not his wife. He must follow his conscience and know the value of human life.

Stages overview example: Heinz