Kohlberg's Theory of Moral Development

Moral Development

  • Definition of Moral Development: the evolution of one’s thoughts, feelings, and behaviors with regards to standards of right and wrong.

Kohlberg's Theory of Moral Development

  • Concept: A comprehensive theory of moral reasoning that outlines the stages through which individuals progress as they develop their moral understanding.

Foundation for Kohlberg’s Theory

  • Influence of Piaget’s Cognitive-Developmental Theory:

    • Children grow increasingly sophisticated in their understanding of social matters as they mature, especially through interactions with peers.

    • Key developmental changes:

    • Overcoming egocentrism (improved ability to consider other perspectives).

    • Transitioning from concrete operational thought to abstract reasoning.

Influences on Kohlberg’s Stage

  • Kohlberg's Beliefs:

    • Children’s moral beliefs are reflective of their cognitive development and their encounters with moral dilemmas.

    • Peer interactions play a crucial role in stimulating changes in children’s moral reasoning through social engagement.

Moral Dilemmas

  • Kohlberg assessed moral reasoning development by presenting moral dilemmas to children and adolescents.

  • Example of a moral dilemma: The Heinz Dilemma

    • Question posed: “Should a person steal medicine to save a loved one’s life?”

  • Noted Developmental Pattern:

    • Moral reasoning unfolds through age-related stages.

The Heinz Dilemma

  • Core Question: “Should Heinz have stolen the drug to save his wife’s life?”

  • Moral Inquiry: Was Heinz's behavior moral or immoral?

Preconventional Morality

  • Description: The lowest level of moral reasoning, typically seen in individuals under nine years of age.

    • Interpretation of Good/Bad: largely based on external rewards and punishments.

Stages of Preconventional Morality

  • Stage 1: Punishment Orientation

    • Definition: Avoiding punishment equates to "moral" behavior, whereas experiencing punishment indicates "immoral" behavior.

  • Stage 2: Rewards Orientation

    • Definition: Gaining rewards is viewed as "moral." In this stage, individuals perform cost-benefit analyses considering whether rewards outweigh punishments.

Application of Preconventional Reasoning to the Heinz Dilemma

  • Key Considerations:

    • What are the potential costs or punishments for Heinz stealing the drug?

    • What are the consequences for not saving his wife’s life?

    • What does Heinz stand to gain?

Conventional Level

  • Description: A moral perspective that applies established standards (social conventions) typically influenced by parents or societal norms.

    • Characterized by concrete thinking common in early adolescence.

Stages of Conventional Morality

  • Stage 3: Social Approval

    • Definition: Moral judgments hinge on the approval of others. Individuals value trust, caring, and loyalty, determining morality based on social acceptance.

  • Stage 4: Social Systems Morality

    • Definition: Individuals base moral judgments on a broader understanding of social order, law, justice, and duty.

Application of Conventional Reasoning to the Heinz Dilemma

  • Key Considerations:

    • What social approval exists regarding Heinz's choice to steal the drug for his wife’s life?

    • Who would approve or disapprove of this action?

    • Is Heinz's behavior in violation of the law?

    • Must Heinz consider his duty to other social roles (e.g., family, citizen)?

Postconventional Level

  • Description: The highest level of moral reasoning, characterized by recognition of alternative moral perspectives, exploration of options, and creation of a personal moral code.

Stages of Postconventional Morality

  • Stage 5: Social Contract and Individual Rights

    • Definition: Individuals reason that certain values, rights, and principles exceed the confines of the law. They advocate for agreed-upon rights.

  • Stage 6: Universal Ethical Principles

    • Definition: A person develops moral standards rooted in universal human rights, leading to a commitment to follow a personalized conscience when faced with conflicts between the law and ethical considerations.

Application of Postconventional Reasoning to the Heinz Dilemma

  • Key Considerations:

    • What fundamental human rights are implicated in this situation?

    • What examples can be given of moral reasoning founded on an individual's internalized moral code?

Summary of Kohlberg's Theory of Moral Reasoning

LEVEL 1: Preconventional Level

  • No Internalization of moral principles.

Stage 1: Heteronomous Morality

  • Description: Moral decisions are driven by obedience to authority and fear of punishment.

Stage 2: Individualism, Purpose, and Exchange

  • Description: Focus on self-interest; moral rightness is viewed as a fair exchange.

LEVEL 2: Conventional Level

  • Intermediate Internalization of morals.

Stage 3: Mutual Interpersonal Expectations, Relationships, and Interpersonal Conformity

  • Description: Moral judgments are based on the value placed on trust, caring, and loyalty towards others.

Stage 4: Social Systems Morality

  • Description: Judgments are based on an understanding of social order and duties.

LEVEL 3: Postconventional Level

  • Full Internalization of moral principles.

Stage 5: Social Contract or Utility and Individual Rights

  • Description: Reasoning extends beyond laws to consider foundational principles of rights and values.

Stage 6: Universal Ethical Principles

  • Description: These judgments are formed by universal human rights shaped by personal moral conscience.

Age and Percentage of Individuals at Each Kohlberg Stage

  • Graph Representation:

    • Shows the mean percentage of individuals at each moral reasoning stage across different ages (10-34 years).

    • Age breakdown includes percentages for Stages 1, 2, 3, and 5 accordingly.

Critique of Kohlberg’s Theory

  • Cultural Bias:

    • Wong may not provide an accurate representation of higher moral reasoning in certain cultures, for example:

    • Indian perspectives view moral rules as intrinsic to the natural order, emphasizing the inevitability of social rules similar to physical laws.

  • Gender Bias:

    • Notable distinctions made between female and male moral reasoning:

    • Female morality: focuses on ethics of care and responsibility (as posited by Gilligan).

    • Male morality: based on principles of justice and rules (as proposed by Kohlberg).