16Kohlberg Stages of Moral Development

1-preconventional morality

most superficial understanding of right and wrong

1-stage 1

moral reasoning is based on concepts of punishment

1-stage 1

if there's punishment, action is wrong

1-stage 2

based on self-interest and reward

1-stage 2

"you scratch my back, I'll scratch yours"

1-preconventional morality

based on what would physically happen to person as result of the act

1-preconventional morality

self-centered approach to moral decision-making

2-conventional morality

decisions/morals are based on what other people would think

2-stage 3

person wants to please others

2-stage 4

person acknowledges importance of social norms or law

2-stage 4

person wants to be a good member of grp or society

2-conventional morality

a good decision is one that gains the APPROVAL OF OTHERS or one that COMPLIES WITH THE LAW

2-conventional morality

people are abt the effect of their actions on others

2-conventional morality

older children, adolescents, and most adults

1-preconventional morality

young children usually prior to age 9

3-postconventional morality

right and wrong are based on social contracts established for the good of everyone and that can transcend self and social convention

postconventional moral development

postconventional morality AKA

3-postconventional morality

judgment goes beyond what happens to the self

3-postconventional morality

based on concern for others, society as a whole, or for ethical standard rather than legal standard

3-postconventional morality

beyond convention, what other ppl think to a higher universal ethical principle of conduct that may or may not be reflected in the law

3-postconventional morality

requires the person to be able to think abstractly

3-postconventional morality

not accomplished until person reaches adolescence or adulthood

3-stage 5

laws are recognized as social constructs

3-stage 5

used to evaluate decisions and interpret laws

3-stage 6

individually determined universal ethical principles are weighed to make moal decisions

1-stage 2

rewards are sought

2-stage 3

focus on how situational outcomes impact others

2-stage 4

people make decisions based on laws or formalized rules

3-stage 5

employ abstract reasoning to justify behaviors

3-stage 6

based on self-chosen ethical principles

3-postconventional morality

rare with adolescents and few adults

males

grp of ppl that value principles of justice and rights

females

grp of ppl that value caring for, connecting, and helping others