Kohlberg's Theory of Moral Development

Postconventional Morality

Ability develops in adulthood; stages 5 and 6

Conventional Morality

Ability develops in adolescence; stages 3 and 4

Preconventional Morality

Ability develops pre-puberty; stages 1 and 2

Stage 1

Obedience/Avoid Punishment

* Rules are seen as being fixed and absolute- no exceptions
* Obeying rules is important in avoiding punishment

Stage 2

Rewards/Self-Interest

* Knowledge that other people have their own goals, so there is room for negotiation in rules
* Decisions are made based on “What is good for me? -- exmaple: going to jail is bad

Stage 3

Social Conformity

* Sense of what “good” people do
* Emphasis on living up to social expectations and norms
* How actions impact day-to-day relationships

Stage 4

Law and Order

* Consider society as a whole when making judgements
* Focus on maintaining law and order by following rules, doing one’s duty, and respecting authority

Stage 5

Social Contracts

* Understanding that there are people with differing opinions about what is “right”and “wrong”
* Laws are really just a social contract based on compromise
* Disobeying rules isj ust when rules/laws are inconsistent with personal values OR aren’t working

Stage 6

Universal Ethics

* Based on the ability to put oneself in another’s shoes
* Relies on a principles conscience which will guide the individual to follow their own universtal ethical principles regardless of what the officla rules/laws are

Carol Gilligan’s Critique

Kohlberg does not consider gender differences due to differences in socialization -- different types of logics

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Example: Girls have a more care-based morality which puts them into the preconventional stage and guys have a justice-based morality which puts them in a postconventional base. Just because they think differently doesn’t mean they’re mentally behind, there are other factors that explain this idea.