Lawrence Kohlberg

Theory of Kohlberg

Moral Development Theory

Devised a theory in which he explained six (6) stages of moral development divided into three levels.

Lawrence Kohlberg

It is the process thought which children develop proper attitudes and behaviors toward other people in society, based on social and cultural norms, rules, and laws.

Moral Development

It is the system one uses to decide what is right and wrong, how one's conscience affects choices.

Morality

Level of Moral Development & Stages of Reasoning

1. Preconventional

   Stage 1: Punishment and Obedience Orientation

   Stage 2: Instrumental Relativitst Orientarion

2. Conventional

   Stage 3: Good-Boy-Nice Girl Orientation

   Stage 4: Society-Maintaining Orientation

3. Postconventional

   Stage 5: Social Contract Reorientation

   Stage 6: Universal Ethical Principle Orientation

Right is obedience to power and avoidance of punishment ("I must follow the rules otherwise I will be punished").

Preconventional

Stage 1: Punishment and Obedience Orientation

Right is taking responsibility and leaving others to be responsible for themselves ("I must follow the rules for the reward and favor it gives").

Preconventional

Stage 2: Instrumental Relativist Orientation

Right is being considerate: "uphold the values of other adolescents ando adults" rules of society". ("I must follow the rules so l will be accepted")

Conventional

Stage 3: Good-Boy-Nice-Girl Orientation

Right is being good, with the values and norms of family and society at large. ("I must follow rules so there is order in the society")

Conventional

Stage 4: Society-Maintaining Oriention

Right is finding inner "universal rights" balance between self-rights and societal rules - a social contract. (I must follow rules as there are reasonable laws for it")

Postconventional

Stage 5: Social Contract Reorientation

Right is based on a higher order of applying principles to all human kind; being non-judgemental and respecting all human life. ("I must follow rules because my conscience tells me")

Postconventional

Stage 6: Universal Ethical Principle Orientation