Lawerence Kohlberg

Speciality of Lawerence Kohlberg

Moral and ethical development

Moral and ethical development

Representation of how moral reasoning evolves with age

3 levels of Kohlberg’s theory of moral development

• Preconventional

• Conventional

• Postconventional

6 stages of Kohlberg’s theory of moral development

• Punishment obedience orientation

• Instrumental exchange orientation

• Good child orientation

• Law and order orientation

• Social contract orientation

• Universal ethics orientation

Preconventional

• Birth to adolescence

• Self centered moral judgment based on personal interests

• Stage 1: Punishment obedience orientation

• Stage 2: Instrumental exchange orientation

Stage 1 of preconventional

• Punishment obedience orientation

• Actions done by following rules to avoid punishment

Stage 2 of preconventional

• Instrumental exchange orientation

• Actions are driven by personal gain or rewards

Conventional

• Adolescence to young adulthood

• Following societal rules and seeking approval

• Society and groups: Altruism

• Moral and ethical dilemmas: Heinz dilemma

• Stage 3: Good child orientation

• Stage 4: Law and order orientation

Stage 3 of conventional

• Good child orientation

• People should be judged by their intentions, not actions

• Morality is driven by social approval and maintaining relationships

• Being seen as good by others matters most

• Intentions are considered, but the focus is more on pleasing others and gaining acceptance rather than challenging rules

Stage 4 of conventional

• Law and order orientation

• Laws are crucial for social order

• Violations to law lead to chaos and monarchy

• Morality is about doing one’s duty and following established rules

• Actions are judged based on their impact on maintaining order, not personal relationships or intentions

Postconventional

• Young adulthood to beyond

• Personal principles and universal ethics

• Rules and moral compass of right vs wrong are largely influenced by essential human rights

• Stage 5: Social contract orientation

• Stage 6: Universal ethics orientation

Stage 5 of postconventional

• Social contract orientation

• Laws are seen as flexible and meant to protect individual rights

• Moral reasoning focuses on fairness and the greater good

• Unjust laws may need to be challenged for social justice

Stage 6 of postconventional

• Universal ethics orientation

• Moral reasoning reflects universal consciousness of right or wrong and good or evil

• Guided by personal moral principles like justice, equality, and human rights

• Principles are followed even if they conflict with laws or societal norms

• Moral decisions are based on deeply held ethical beliefs