Kohlberg's Stages of Moral Devlopment

Level One- Preconventional

Contains Stage 1 and Stage 2.

Stage 1: Punishment Obedience. “Will I be punished?”

Stage 2: Instrumental Relativist Orientation. “Will I get what I want?” “Does the victim deserve it?”

Level two: Conventional

Contains Stage 3 and Stage 4.

Stage 3: Good Boy- Nice Girl Orientation. “Will my family or friends get mad at me?

Stage 4: Law and Order Orientation. “Is it right according to the law?”

Level 3: Post- Conventional

Contains Stage 5 and Stage 6

Stage 5: Social Contract Orientation. “Is there a higher good that can come from the action I do?”
Stage 6: Universal Ethical Principle Orientation.

In order to avoid ‘time outs’ in nursery school, Julia does not steal other children’s snacks.

Level 1: Pre-Conventional

Stage 1: Punishment Obidence

Dan plays nicely with his cousin Sara so that his parents will be proud of him.

Level Two: Conventional
Stage Three: Good Boy- Nice Girl Orientation

Jane always gives Aunt Mary a hug because she usually brings her candy.

Level 1: Pre-Conventional

Stage 1: Punishment Obedience

Will rakes his neighbor’s lawn because he knows his neighbor will appreciate it.

Level 2: Conventional

Stage 3: Good boy- Nice girl orientation

Karen doesn’t steal from the department store because she’d be horrified in her friends thought of her as a theif.

Level 2: Conventional
Stage 4: Law and Order Orientation

Dan does not steal from stores because he’d be ashamed of himself for doing so.

Level 3: Post- Conventional

Stage 5: Social Contract Orientaion

Hailey volunteers at a soup kitchen because her name is ready at church services

Level 3: Post- Conventional

Stage 5: Social Contract Orientation

Jill refuses to pay income taxes because she doesn’t believe they are fair.

Level 3: Post- Conventional

Stage 6: Universal Ethical Principle Orientation

Hank does not drive faster than the speed limit because that’s the law and he’d feel terrible if he was caught.

Level 2: Conventional

Stage 4: Law and Order orientation

Even though Cathy has personal doubts, she doesn’t smoke marijuana because it is against the law.

Level 2: Conventional

Stage 4: Law and Order Orientation

Linda feels it is her duty as a good American citizen who believes in freedom to vote in elections.

Level 3: Post- Conventional

Stage 5: Social Contact Orientation

Owen picks up his toys so he won’t have to go to bed early.

Level 1: Pre-Conventional

Stage 1: Punishment-Obedience

Veronica enjoys volunteering at a telephone crisis center because she knows it is the right thing for her to do.

Level 2: Conventional

Stage 4: Law and Order Orientation

Bob donates to charity because his conscience tells him to help others in need.

Level 3: Post- Conventional

Stage 6: Universal Ethical Principle Orientation

Suarez always obeys her teacher because she’d be embarrassed if she got into trouble.

Level 2: Conventional

Stage 3: Good-Boy; Nice girl orientation