LAWRENCE KOHLBERG’S STAGES OF MORAL DEVELOPMENT

Kohlberg’s stages of moral development

is a theory which holds that moral reasoning, the basis for ethical behavior, has six identifiable developmental stages, each more adequate at responding to moral dilemmas than its predecessor.

justice

Kohlberg determined that the process of moral development was principally concerned with ____, and that it continued throughout the individual's lifetime.

pre-conventional, conventional, and post-conventional.

The six stages of moral development are grouped into three levels of morality:

moral behavior

is more responsible, consistent and predictable from people at higher levels.

The Pre-Conventional Level

This is especially common in children, although adults can also exhibit this level of reasoning.

direct consequences.

in the preconventional Individuals at this level judge the morality of an action by its

egocentric manner.

 This consists of the first and second stages of moral development and is solely concerned with the self in an

Stage 1: Reward and Punishment

 In this stage, individuals focus on the direct consequences of their actions on themselves.  An action is perceived as morally wrong because the agent is punished.  The worse the punishment for the act is, the more "bad" the act is perceived to be.

Stage 2: Mutual Benefit

This stage expresses the "what's in it for me" position, in which, right behavior is defined by whatever the individual believes to be in their best interest but understood in a narrow way which does not consider one's reputation or relationships to groups of people.  The mentality here is: "You scratch my back, and I'll scratch yours".

The Conventional Level

This is typical of adolescents and adults.  To reason in a conventional way is to judge the morality of actions by comparing them to society's views and expectations.  It is characterized by an acceptance of society's conventions concerning right and wrong.  At this level, an individual obeys rules and follows society's norms even when there are no consequences for obedience or disobedience.  Adherence to rules and conventions is somewhat rigid, however, and a rule's appropriateness or fairness is seldom questioned.

Stage 3: “Good Boy / Good Girl”

In this stage, the self enters society by conforming to social standards.  Individuals are open to approval or disapproval from others.  They try to be a “good boy” or a “good girl” to live up to these expectations.  Furthermore, the individuals act depending on “what others would say” and she is vulnerable to peer pressure.

Stage 4: Law and Order

In this stage, it is important to obey laws and social conventions because of their importance in maintaining a functioning society.  Challenging or questioning the status quo is frowned upon as it is seen as a threat to the established order.  If one person violates a law, there is an obligation and a duty to uphold laws and rules.  When someone does violate a law, it is morally wrong.

“rock the boat”

willing to take the risk of censure, rejection and other forms of opposition. Whether visionaries or naive idealists, those people – some of them – provide the stimulus for change.

The Post-Conventional Level

This level, also known as the principled level, is marked by a growing realization that individuals are separate entities from society, and that the individual's own perspective may take precedence over society's view; individuals may disobey rules inconsistent with their own principles.  Post-conventional moralists live by their own ethical principles—principles that typically include such basic human rights as life, liberty, and justice.  People who exhibit post-conventional morality view rules as useful but changeable mechanisms—ideally rules can maintain the general social order and protect human rights.  Rules are not absolute dictates that must be obeyed without question.