Lawrence Kohlberg's Theory of Moral Development

Lawrence Kohlberg's Theory of Moral Development

* He looks at how people develop their morals.

* Morality- Systems of beliefs about what is right and good compared to what is wrong or bad.

* Moral development refers to changes in moral beliefs as a person grows older and gains maturity.

He introduced 3 distinct levels of reasoning:

1. Pre-conventional level

2. Conventional level

3. Post-conventional level

In each level, there are 2 stages, and the stages are sequential.

Pre-Conventional Morality | level

* There is little or no independent moral reasoning.

Stage one: Punishment -and obedience Orientation.

* The child is motivated to avoid punishment.

* Children's sense of what is good or bad is directly linked to whether they get punished or not.

* little or no Independent moral reasoning.

Stage two: Instrumental hedonism/ self-interest.

* Individuals are Focused on Fulfilling their own Self- Interest, while acknowledging that different people have different views.

Conventional Morality / level

* Here we accept social rules regarding what is good and moral, we internalize moral Standards we have learned From our role models and Society. [adolescents and Adults]

Stage three: Good boy or Good girl Morality

* Here there is a strong emphasis on Gaining approval From the role models and From the Society.

* Individuals emphasize the importance of being kind to others, engaging in good behaviour and showing concern for others. (we conform to what role models and society perceives as good or bad)

Stage Four: Authority and Social order Maintaining Morality

* A person at this stage might argue that breaking the law is wrong because the law is designed to Protect People

* An Individual is Focused on maintaining Social order (social cohesion).

Post- Conventional Morality /level

* We understand rules as a social contract.

* There is also an understanding of abstract principles of morality.

Stage 5: Morality of Contract, Individual rights and the law

* We do what is best for society and we respect individual rights.

Stage 6: Morality of Individual principles of conscience.

* People are Focused on upholding universal ethical principles e.g principles of justice, Fairness and ethics.

* They believe in the democratic process, but also endorse disobeying unjust laws. 

v Disobeying unjust laws can be seen in stages 5 and 6.

CRITICISMS

·       MORAL REASONING DOES NOT EQUAL MORAL BEHAVIOUR

·       OVEREMPHASIZES JUSTICE

·       CULTURAL BIAS

·       AGE BIAS / GENDER BIAS

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