Lawrence Kohlberg: Life and Work

Lawrence Kohlberg was born in New York City in 1927.
He began studying psychology at the University of Chicago, where he earned his B.A. and later his Ph.D.
Kohlberg became fascinated by moral development in children.
His work in moral reasoning was influenced by Jean Piaget and John Dewey.

Kohlberg briefly taught at Yale University before joining Harvard in 1967.
In 1973, while in Central America, he contracted a rare tropical disease that left him disabled and depressed.
Kohlberg disappeared in January 1987, and his body was later found in a swamp; there are suspicions of suicide.

Detailed Analysis of Kohlberg's Stages

Focus: Self; Ages: 4 to 10 years old.
Behavior driven by anticipation of pleasure or pain.
Moral reasoning based on consequences, not inherent morality of actions.
Stage 1: Obedience and Punishment Orientation: Motivated by fear of punishment.
Example: The child won't grab the candy at the supermarket for fear of being slapped.
Stage 2: Mutual Benefit: Motivated by potential benefits.
Example: A mother tells her child: "If you are quiet at the mall, I will buy you an ice cream."

Focus: Significant Others; Ages: 10 to 13 years old.
Acceptance of group rules and standards.
Moral reasoning based on societal norms and conventions.
Stage 3: Social Approval: Motivated by others' expectations and social image.
Example: Volunteering at a nursing home is the right thing to do.
Stage 4: Law and Order: Motivated by upholding laws for societal order.
Example: If you drink and drive your endangering the lives of others on the road, not just yourself.

Moral reasoning based on enduring principles beyond societal norms.
Stage 5: Social Contract: Belief in changing unjust laws for social justice.
Stage 6: Universal Ethical Principle Orientation: Driven by personal moral responsibility.
Example: Rosa Parks refused to sit in the back of the bus because it was an unjust law discriminating against African Americans.