kohlbergs stages of moral development

Punishment and obedience stage

• What is right is obedience to power and rules and avoiding punishment 

• children comply with authority out of fear

• those who do not progress through this stage will think their criminal behavior is permissible as no as they are not punished for it 

Hedonistic orientation stage

• What is right corresponds to seeing one’s own needs met, taking responsibility for oneself and allowing others to do the same 

Interpersonal concordance stage

• What is right is having good intentions and motives and being concerned for others 

• not until stage 3 that children begin to take into account the feelings of others 

• ages 12-14 to adult 

Law and order orientation stage

• What is right is doing one's duty to society and others and following and maintaining the rules of society 

Social contract - legalistic stage

• What is right is based on upholding the rules and values agreed upon by society - a social contract 

Orientation to universal ethical principles

• What is right is an assumed obligation to principles such as justice and equality - which applies to everyone - moral rightness