Kohlberg’s Six Stages of Moral Development (Kohlberg’s Theory of Moral Development)

Summary

Lawrence Kohlberg's theory of moral development outlines six stages across three levels: pre-conventional, conventional, and post-conventional. These stages describe how individuals progress from self-interest to social conformity and ultimately to universal ethical principles. Kohlberg's research, based on interviews with children and adolescents responding to ethical dilemmas, revealed a pattern of moral reasoning development that continues throughout life, emphasizing justice and the philosophical implications of moral growth.

Takeaways

• 🎓 Lawrence Kohlberg was a professor at Harvard University known for his theory of moral development.
• 👶 Kohlberg's theory was influenced by Swiss psychologist Jean Piaget and involved extensive research on moral reasoning.
• 🧩 Kohlberg's theory is based on interviews with boys, presenting them with ethical dilemmas to observe their moral reasoning.
• 📊 The theory identifies a progression of moral reasoning through six stages, grouped into three levels: pre-conventional, conventional, and post-conventional.
• 🔄 The pre-conventional level (Stages 1 & 2) is focused on avoiding punishment and pursuing self-interest.
• 🤝 The conventional level (Stages 3 & 4) emphasizes social conformity, peer acceptance, and obeying laws to maintain social order.
• 🌟 The post-conventional level (Stages 5 & 6) is characterized by moral judgments based on universal ethical principles, potentially in conflict with societal norms.
• 📜 Stage 5 is about considering the common good and social contracts for the welfare of the community.
• 🌐 Stage 6 involves respect for universal principles like justice, dignity, and equality, guiding actions based on conscience.
• 🔑 Kohlberg viewed moral development as a linear and hierarchical process, where individuals progress through stages in a specific order.

Q & A

Who was Lawrence Kohlberg and what was his field of expertise?

Lawrence Kohlberg was a professor of education and social psychology at Harvard University. He began as a developmental psychologist and later moved to the field of education.

What was the influence on Kohlberg's theory of moral development?

Kohlberg was influenced by the Swiss psychologist Jean Piaget, who was famous for his theory on the moral development of children.

How did Kohlberg develop his theory of moral development?

Kohlberg developed his theory through extensive research and interviews with young boys from early childhood to late adolescence, asking them to respond to hypothetical ethical dilemmas.

What was the result of Kohlberg's interviews with young boys?

The interviews showed a pattern of responses that suggested a progression in moral reasoning, leading to the development of Kohlberg's theory of moral development.

How many stages of moral development did Kohlberg identify?

Kohlberg identified six stages of moral development.

What are the three levels into which Kohlberg's six stages of moral development are classified?

The three levels are the pre-conventional level, the conventional level, and the post-conventional level.

What is the primary concern of the pre-conventional level of moral development?

The pre-conventional level is primarily concerned with the consequences of one's actions, focusing on external consequences such as punishment and reward.

What are the two stages within the pre-conventional level of moral development?

The two stages within the pre-conventional level are: 1) Punishment and authority, and 2) Individual's own interest or advantage.

How does the conventional level of moral development differ from the pre-conventional level?

In the conventional level, the child is more concerned with societal relationships and social conformity, shifting from self-interest to maintaining positive relationships and societal order.

What are the two stages within the conventional level of moral development?

The two stages within the conventional level are: 3) Good boy-nice girl orientation (peer and group acceptance), and 4) Law and order orientation (legalistic orientation).

What is the focus of the post-conventional level of moral development?

The post-conventional level focuses on the common good and universal moral principles, where individuals make judgments based on impartial, universal moral principles even when they may conflict with societal standards.

What are the two stages within the post-conventional level of moral development?

The two stages within the post-conventional level are: 5) Social contract orientation (common good), and 6) Universal ethical principles orientation (respect for universal principles).

How does Kohlberg view the progression through the stages of moral development?

Kohlberg viewed moral development as linear and hierarchically ordered, meaning an individual cannot jump from one stage to another without passing through the intermediate stages.