WEEK 5: STAGES OF MORAL DEVELOPMENT

• Focuses on the emergence, change, and understanding of morality from infancy through adulthood

• Morality develops across a lifetime and is influenced by an individual’s experiences

• Concerns an individual’s growing sense of what is right and wrong

Moral Development

• Is a synonym for rightness or goodness

• Refers to a certain code of conduct that is derived from one’s culture, religion or personal philosophy

Morality

What are the 3 main stages of moral development by Lawrence Kohlberg?

1. Pre-Conventional Level

2. Conventional Level

3. Post-Conventional Level

What are the 2 stages of Pre-Conventional Level?

1. Punishment and Obedience

2. Individual and Instrumental Exchange

What are the 2 stages of conventional level?

1. Mutual and Interpersonal Conformity

2. Law and Order

What are the 2 stages of post-conventional level?

1. Social Contract and Individual Rights

2. Universal Ethical Principles

Pre-conventional level is observed in what age?

Up to the age of 9

Conventional stage is observed in what age?

Most Adolescents and Adults

Post-conventional stage is observed in what age>

10% to 15% of the people over 20

This stage talks about:

• Right and wrong defined by what they get punished for

• If you get told off for stealing, then it is wrong

• You’ll know when it is bad when you get called out and punished. So, you won’t repeat it again to avoid getting punished

• People follow rules to avoid punishment

Stage 1: Punishment and Obedience

This stage talks about:

• Right and wrong are now determined by what we are rewarded for

• Any concern for others is motivated by selfishness

• Pursuing one’s interest while respecting others’ interest

• They do things to get rewards or benefits

Stage 2: Individual and Instrumental Exchange

This stage talks about:

• Morality is defined by societal approval, maintaining relationships, and conforming to societal relationships

• Doing whatever pleases others

• Wanting people to think you are good

• Decisions are based on pleasing others and fitting in

Stage 3: Mutual and Interpersonal Community

This stage talks about:

• Morality is about following laws and upholding social order

• Being good means doing your duty to society

• We follow rules and obey authority

• Most adults do not progress past this stage

Stage 4: Law and Order

This stage talks about:

• Right and wrong are determined by personal values

• Morality transcends individual perspectives and considers societal agreements and individual rights

• Laws are important but people’s rights matter more

• They believe laws should serve the greater good and can be changed if unfair

Stage 5: Social Contract and Individual Rights

This stage talks about:

• Morality is guided by universal ethical principles even if they conflict with societal laws or rules

• We follow moral compass even if its hard

• Decisions are based on deep principles like justice, equality, and human rights even if it breaks the law

Stage 6: Univeral Ethical Principles

• Is seen in an agent that acts on what she has understood, using her full rationality to be what is right regardless of it bringing pleasure or pain

Moral Maturity