lse kolberg's theory of moral development

He 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.

Lawrence Kohlberg

He is the author of a three-stage theory on how moral reasoning develops.

Lawrence Kolberg

This states that we progress through 3 levels of moral thinking that build in our cognitive development.

Kohlberg’s Theory of Moral Development

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

Moral reasoning

What are the three distinct levels of moral reasoning / three levels of the Kohlberg’s Moral Ladder?

preconventional, conventional, postconventional

Ideally people should progress through the 3 stages as part of _______ development

normal

What is the first level of Kohlberg’s Moral Ladder?

Preconventional Moral Reasoning

What is the second level of Kohlberg’s Moral Ladder?

Conventional Moral Reasoning

What is the third level of Kohlberg’s Moral Ladder?

Postconventional Moral Reasoning

What are the two stages under preconventional moral reasoning?

Stage 1: Punishment & Obedience; Stage 2: Mutual Benefit

What are the two stages under conventional moral reasoning?

Stage 3: Interpersonal Expectations; Stage 4: Law-and-Order

What are the two stages under postconventional moral reasoning?

Stage 5: Legal Principles; Stage 6: Universal Moral Principles

This stage is characterized by the desire to avoid punishment or gain reward.

preconventional moral reasoning

What age group/range typically has a preconventional level of moral reasoning?

children under the age of 10

Preconventional reasoner’s judge the morality of an action by what?

its direct consequences

What is the first stage?

Punishment & Obedience

Identify the stage:

• A focus on direct consequences

• Negative actions will result in punishments

Stage 1: Punishment & Obedience

Identify the stage:

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

• “Right” is a fair exchange.

• Morals guided by what is “fair”

Stage 2: Mutual Benefit

This level of moral reasoning’s primary concern is to fit in and play the role of a good citizen; and have a strong desire to follow

the rules and laws.

Conventional Moral Reasoning

What age group/range typically has a conventional level of moral reasoning?

adolescents and adults

What is the second stage?

Stage 2: Mutual Benefit

What is the third stage?

Stage 3: Interpersonal Expectations

What is the fourth stage?

Stage 4: Law-and-Order

What is the fifth stage?

Stage 5: Legal Principles

What is the sixth stage?

Stage 6: Universal Moral Principles

Identify the stage:

• 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

Stage 3: Interpersonal Expectations

Identify the stage:

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

• Respect the laws & authority

Stage 4: Law-and-Order

This level is also known as principled level.

Postconventional Moral Reasoning

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

Postconventional Moral Reasoning

(postconventional) reasoning based on ________________

personal moral standards

Identify the stage:

• 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.

Stage 5: Legal Principles

Identify the stage:

• 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.

Stage 6: Universal Moral Principles