kohlberg theory

lawrence kohlberg

Expanded on the earlier work of cognitive theorist, Jean Piaget, to explain 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

3 levels of moral thinking

1. Preconventional moral reasoning

2. Conventional moral reasoning

3. Postconventional moral reasoning

moral reasoning

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

moral development

kohlberg’s moral ladder, Ideally people should progress through the 3 stages as part of normal development

preconventional moral reasoning

• characterized by the desire to avoid punishment or gain reward

• moral reasoning is based on external rewards and punishments

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

• typically children under the age of 10

stages of preconventional moral reasoning

1. Stage 1: Punishment and Obedience

2. Stage 2: Mutual Benefit

stage 1: punishment and obedience

• A focus on direct consequences

• Negative actions will result in punishments

example of stage 1

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

stage 2: mutual benefit

• Getting what one wants often requires giving something up in return

• “Right” is a fair exchange.

• Morals guided by what is “fair”

example of stage 2

Heinz should steal the drug because the druggist is being greedy by charging so much.

conventional moral reasoning

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

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

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

• typical of adolescents and adults

stage 3: Interpersonal expectations

• An attempt to live up to the expectations of important others

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

• Negative actions will harm those relationships

example of stage 3

Heinz should try to steal the drug because that’s what a devoted husband would do.

stage 4: law and order

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

• Respect the laws & authority

example of stage 4

Heinz should not steal the drug because that would be against the law and he has duty to uphold the law.

postconventional moral reasoning

• also known as principled level

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

• reasoning based on personal moral standards

• most adults do not reach this level.

stage 5: legal principles

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

• Laws that fail to promote general welfare or that violate ethical principles can be changed, reinterpreted, or abandoned

example of stage 5

Heinz should steal the drug because his obligation to save his wife’s life must take precedence over his obligation to respect the druggist’s property rights.

stage 6: universal moral principles

• Self-chosen ethical principles

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

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

conscientious objectors

refuses to be drafted because they are morally opposed to war.

example of stage 6

Heinz should steal the drug even if the person was a stranger and not his wife. He must follow his conscience and not let the druggist’s desire for money outweigh the value of a human life.

Tamara has five tests in one day. She is a good student but did not have time to study for her French test. She knows the person who sits next to her in French class is also a good student. This girl has copied from Tamara on occasion. Tamara decides to look at the other girl’s test for the questions she doesn’t know. Besides, thinks Tamara, ‘I never should have five tests in one day anyway.”

stage 2 mutual benefit

Scott thought about leaving school early and going to a baseball game. He stayed in school because he was afraid of getting caught.

stage 1 punishment and obedience

Juanita’s friends were at the mall, and someone suggested they do a little shoplifting just to see if they could get away with it. Juanita wouldn’t participate and said stealing is wrong.

stage 6 universal moral principles

Muhammed lives with his mother in a poor section of the city. His mother is quite ill and needs outpatient services daily at a hospital some miles away from their home. Muhammed steals a car to take his mother to the hospital.

stage 5 legal principles

Martina, a young woman living in a war-torn region of the world, distributes food to orphans living in the streets. This activity is actually against the law. She frequently has to deceive the authorities in order to keep these children alive.

stage 5 legal principles

Grant wants to spend time after school volunteering at the hospital. However, he is a good basketball player, and practice interferes with this volunteer program. The coach and other teammates pressure him to play. Grant decides to play with the team.

stage 3 interpersonal expectations