Kolberg Moral Development

What are Kohlberg’s three levels of moral development?

Preconventional, Conventional, and Postconventional morality.

What is Preconventional morality?

Morality based on consequences, rewards, punishment, and personal needs.

What is Stage 1: Punishment and Obedience?

Rules are followed to avoid punishment or negative consequences.

What is Stage 2: Instrumental Orientation?

Rules are followed to satisfy personal needs or receive something in return.

What is Conventional morality?

Morality based on social approval, relationships, rules, and maintaining social order.

What is Stage 3: Good Person Orientation?

Moral behavior is based on pleasing others, helping others, and gaining approval.

What is Stage 4: Maintaining Social Order?

Rules and laws are followed to respect authority and maintain social order.

What is Postconventional morality?

Morality based on broader ethical principles, rights, justice, and personal conscience.

What is Stage 5: Social Contract Orientation?

Laws are flexible agreements that can be changed if they fail to protect rights.

What is Stage 6: Universal Ethical Principles?

Behavior follows internal principles like justice and equality, even against laws.

A child follows a rule because they are afraid their parent will punish them if they break it. Which stage is this?

Stage 1: Punishment and Obedience

A child helps their sibling clean their room because their sibling promised to share their video game afterward. Which stage does this best represent?

 Stage 2: Instrumental

A teenager refuses to cheat on a test because they want their teacher and friends to see them as an honest and good person. Which stage?

Stage 3: Good Person

An adult believes people should obey laws even when they personally disagree with them because laws are necessary to keep society functioning.

Stage 4: Maintaining Social Order

A person believes a law should be changed because it unfairly limits people's rights and there is a better way to protect society.

Stage 5: Social Construct

A person breaks a law because they believe the law violates fundamental principles of human dignity and equality. Which stage best describes this reasoning?

Stage 6: Universal Ethical Principles