Laurence Kohlberg’s theory of Moral Development
Lets Study theory of Moral Development
Kohlberg became fascinated by Piaget’s studies of moral development and because of this he decides to further develop the theory of moral development. According to Kohlberg, there are three universal levels of moral development, each divided into two stages. These levels are:
Level I: Preconvention Reasoning
• Stage 1: heteronomous morality
• Stage 2: Individualism, instrumental purpose and exchange
Level II: Conventional Reasoning
• Stage 3: Mutual Interpersonal expectations, relationships and interpersonal conformity
• Stage 4: Social systems morality
Level III: Post-Conventional Reasoning
• Stage 5: Social contract and individual rights
• Stage 6: Universal ethical principles
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Level and Stage |
Description |
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Level I : Preconventional reasoning |
Stage 1 : Heteronomous morality | Moral decisions are based primarily on fear of punishment or the need to be obedient. Whatever is rewarded is good, whatever is punished is bad. Children obey because they fear punishment. |
| Stage 2: Individualism, instrumental purpose and exchange
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Moral reasoning is guided most by satisfying one’s self-interest, which may involve making bargains. I’ll do something good for you if you do something good for me. | |
| Level II: Conventional Reasoning
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Stage 3: Mutual Interpersonal expectations, relationships and interpersonal conformity
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Moral decisions are guided mostly by conforming to the standards of others we value. Children and adolescents may adopt the moral standards of their parents in order to be seen as good boys or girls. |
| Stage 4: Social systems morality
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Moral reasoning is determined mostly by conforming to the laws of society. Rules and laws are obeyed because they are needed to maintain social order. | |
| Level III: Post-Conventional Reasoning
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Stage 5: Social contract and individual rights
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Moral decisions are made after careful thinking about all the alternatives and striking a balance between human rights and laws of society. |
| Stage 6: Universal ethical principles
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At this stage the individual has developed an internal moral code based on universal values and human rights that takes precedence over social rules and laws. When faced with a conflict between law and law and conscience will be followed
even though this may involve personal risk. |
According to Kohlberg, children progress sequentially from lower to higher stages out of recognition that a higher stage of moral reasoning provides a better mechanism for the resolution of moral issues. Initially children make judgements about right or wrong based solely on how actions will affect them. However, over time they recognize that they may need to take other’s needs into account when determining what is right or wrong. Finally, it is recognized that morality concerns a set of standards and principles that account for human rights, not individual needs. According to Kohlberg everyone progresses through the levels in order, from lowest to higher. Not everyone reaches, however the highest levels of moral development.
