Kohlberg's Moral Development

Lawrence Kohlberg (1927-1987) - American psychologist who extended Piaget's work on moral development. He proposed 3 levels with 6 stages of moral reasoning development.

Level 1: Pre-Conventional Morality (4-10 years)

Stage 1: Obedience and Punishment Orientation • Focus: Avoid punishment • Reasoning: "Right" is what authority says is right • Behavior: Obey rules to avoid punishment • Example: "Don't steal because you'll go to jail"

Stage 2: Individualism and Exchange • Focus: Self-interest and exchange • Reasoning: "Right" satisfies own needs • Behavior: Act in own interest, expect reciprocity • Example: "I'll help you if you help me"

Level 2: Conventional Morality (10-13 years)

Stage 3: Good Interpersonal Relationships • Focus: Being "good" and gaining approval • Reasoning: "Right" is what pleases others • Behavior: Conform to expectations, be "nice" • Example: "Good boys don't steal"

Stage 4: Maintaining Social Order • Focus: Law and order, duty • Reasoning: "Right" is following rules and laws • Behavior: Respect authority, maintain social order • Example: "Laws exist for good reasons, must be followed"

Level 3: Post-Conventional Morality (13+ years, not all reach this)

Stage 5: Social Contract and Individual Rights • Focus: Social contract, majority welfare • Reasoning: "Right" balances individual rights with social good • Behavior: Laws are social contracts, can be changed if unjust • Example: "Laws should benefit society, can be questioned"

Stage 6: Universal Principles • Focus: Universal ethical principles • Reasoning: "Right" follows universal principles (justice, equality, human dignity) • Behavior: Act according to conscience, even if it conflicts with law • Example: "Rights of humans are universal and must be protected"

Key Points: • Stages are sequential and universal • Progression is gradual, not everyone reaches highest stages • Age ranges are approximate • People at different stages may answer same question differently

Famous Heinz Dilemma: Heinz's wife is dying. Medicine is expensive. Should Heinz steal it? • Stage 1: No, stealing is wrong (punishment) • Stage 2: Yes, if he pays later (exchange) • Stage 3: Yes, good husbands help wives (approval) • Stage 4: No, stealing is illegal (law and order) • Stage 5: Yes, right to life over property (social contract) • Stage 6: Yes, life is universal right (principles)

Criticisms: • Male-centered (Carol Gilligan criticized) • Western cultural bias • May not apply to all cultures

Educational Implications: • Understand children's moral reasoning level • Use moral dilemmas in classroom discussions • Encourage perspective-taking • Model moral behavior • Create opportunities for moral reasoning