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Kohlberg’s Theory of
Moral Development
Kohlberg's stages of
Moral development
A Psychological Look at
The Importance of Morality
Lawrence Kohlberg
 (October 25, 1927 – January 19, 1987)
 Was a Jewish American psychologist born in
Bronxville, New York, who served as a professor at
the University of Chicago, as well as Harvard
University.
 Having specialized in research on moral education
and reasoning, he is best known for his theory of
stages of moral development.
 A close follower of Jean Piaget's theory of cognitive
development, Kohlberg's work reflected and extended
his predecessor's ideas, at the same time creating a
new field within psychology: "moral development".
 Kohlberg was one of the most eminent psychologists
of the 20th century.
Jean Piaget Lawrence Kohlberg
The Stages
 In a 1958 dissertation, Kohlberg wrote what are
now known as Kohlberg's stages of moral
development.
 These stages explain the development of moral
reasoning.
 Created while studying psychology at the
University of Chicago, the theory was inspired
by the work of Jean Piaget and a fascination
with children's reactions to moral dilemmas
 Kohlberg’s theory holds
that moral reasoning,
which is the basis for
ethical behavior, has six
identifiable developmental
constructive stages - each
more adequate at
responding to moral
dilemmas than the last
JUSTICE!
 He determined that the process of moral
development was principally concerned
with justice and that its development
continued throughout the life span.
Moral Development
 Moral development
is the gradual
development of an
individuals concept of
right or wrong –
conscious, religious
values, social attitudes
and certain behaviour.
Kohlberg's theory
 This theory is a stage theory. In other words, everyone goes through
the stages sequentially without skipping any stage.
 However, movement through these stages are not natural, that is

people do not automatically move from one stage to the next as they
mature. In stage development, movement occurs when a person
notices inadequacies in his or her present way of coping with a given
moral dilemma.
 According to stage theory, people cannot understand moral reasoning

more than one stage ahead of their own. For example, a person in
Stage 1 can understand Stage 2 reasoning but nothing beyond that.
Kohlberg’s Six Stages
Pre-Conventional Moral Development

 Stage 1
 Stage 2
Conventional Moral Development
 Stage 3
 Stage 4
Post-Conventional Moral Development
 Stage 5
 Stage 6
Level 1: Preconventional Morality 0-9 years
Stage 1 - Obedience and Punishment
Especially common in young children, but adults are capable
of expressing this type of reasoning. At this stage, children
see rules as fixed and absolute.
Obeys rules in order to avoid punishment

Determines a sense of right and wrong by what is punished
and what is not punished
Obeys superior authority and allows that authority to make
the rules, especially if that authority has the power to inflict
pain
Is responsive to rules that will affect his/her physical well-
being
Level 1: Preconventional Morality 0-9 years
Stage 2 – Naively egotistical
At this stage of moral development, children account for
individual points of view and judge actions based on how they
serve individual needs. Reciprocity is possible, but only if it
serves one's own interests.
Is motivated by vengeance or “an eye for an eye”

philosophy
Is self-absorbed while assuming that he/she is generous
Believes in equal sharing in that everyone gets the same,
regardless of need
Believes that the end justifies the means
Will do a favor only to get a favor
Expects to be rewarded for every non-selfish deed he/she
does
Level 2: Conventional Morality 10-15 years
Stage 3 - "good boy-good girl" orientation,
This stage of moral development is focused on
living up to social expectations and roles. There
is an emphasis on conformity, being "nice," and
consideration of how choices influence
relationships.
Finds peer approval very important
Feels that intensions are as important as deeds and
expects others to accept intentions or promises in place
of deeds
Begins to put himself/herself in another’s shoes and
think from another perspective
Level 2: Conventional Morality 10-15 years
Stage 4 – Law and Social Order

At this stage of moral development, people begin to
consider society as a whole when making judgments.
The focus is on maintaining law and order by following
the rules, doing one’s duty, and respecting authority.
Is a duty doer who believes in rigid rules that should not be
changed
Respects authority and obeys it without question
Supports the rights of the majority without concern for those in
the minority
Is part of about 80% of the population that does not progress
past stage 4
Level 3: Postconventional Morality – 16+
Stage 5 - Legalistic Social Contract
At this stage, people begin to account for the differing
values, opinions, and beliefs of other people. Rules of
law are important for maintaining a society, but
members of the society should agree upon these
standards.
Is motivated by the belief in the greatest amount of good for

the greatest number of people
Believes in consensus (everyone agrees), rather than in
majority rule
Respects the rights of the minority especially the rights of the
individual
Believes that change in the law is possible but only through
the system
Level 3: Postconventional Morality – 16+
Stage 6 – Universal ethical Principles
Kolhberg’s final level of moral reasoning is based
upon universal ethical principles and abstract
reasoning. At this stage, people follow these
internalized principles of justice, even if they conflict
with laws and rules.
Believes that there are high moral principles than those

represented by social rules and customs
Is willing to accept the consequences for disobedience of the
social rule he/she has rejected
Believes that the dignity of humanity is sacred and that all
humans have value
The Heinz Dilemma:
A woman was near death from a special kind of cancer. There was one
drug that the doctors thought might save her. It was a form of radium that
a druggist in the same town had recently discovered. The drug was
expensive to make, but the druggist was charging ten times what the drug
cost him to produce. He paid $200 for the radium and charged $2,000 for
a small dose of the drug. The sick woman's husband, Heinz, went to
everyone he knew to borrow the money, but he could only get together
about $1,000 which is half of what it cost. He told the druggist that his wife
was dying and asked him to sell it cheaper or let him pay later. But the
druggist said: "No, I discovered the drug and I'm going to make money
from it." So Heinz got desperate and broke into the man's store to steal
the drug for his wife.
A woman was near death from a special kind of
cancer. There was one drug that the doctors thought
might save her. It was a form of radium that a druggist
in the same town had recently discovered. The drug
was expensive to make, but the druggist was charging
ten times what the drug cost him to produce. He paid
$200 for the radium and charged $2,000 for a small
dose of the drug. The sick woman's husband, Heinz,
went to everyone he knew to borrow the money, but he
could only get together about $1,000 which is half of
what it cost. He told the druggist that his wife was
dying and asked him to sell it cheaper or let him pay
later. But the druggist said: "No, I discovered the drug
and I'm going to make money from it." So Heinz got
desperate and broke into the man's store to steal the
drug for his wife.
PRECONVENTIONAL
STAGE 1: PUNISHMENT ORIENTATION
Obedience to authority is considered.
Example: “He shouldn’t steal the drug

because he might get caught and be
punished” (avoiding punishment)
PRECONVENTIONAL
Stage 2: PLEASURE-SEEKING
ORIENTATION.
Action is determined by one’s own needs.
Example: “It won’t do him any good to

steal the drug because his wife will be
dead by the time he gets out of jail” (self-
interest)
CONVENTIONAL
STAGE 3: GOOD BOY/GOOD GIRL
ORIENTATION.
Action determined by the approval of
their peer group.
Example: “He shouldn’t steal the drug

because others will think he is a thief. His
wife will not want to be saved by stealing”
(avoiding disapproval)
CONVENTIONAL
STAGE 4: AUTHORITY ORIENTATION.
Should uphold the law at all costs.
Follow social rules.
Example: “Although his wife needs the

drug, he should not break the law to get
it. His wife’s condition doesn’t justify
stealing” (traditional morality of authority
POST CONVENTIONAL
STAGE 5: SOCIAL-CONTRACT
ORIENTATION.
Rules are open to question but are
upheld for the good of the community.
Example: “He should not steal the drug.

The druggist response is unfair but
mutual respect for the rights of others
must be maintained.” (social contract)
POST CONVENTIONAL
STAGE 6: UNIVERSAL ETHICAL
PRINCIPLES.
High value is placed on justice, dignity,
and equality.
Example: “He should steal the drug but

alert authorities he has done it. He will
have to face a penalty, but he will save a
human life.” (self-chosen ethical
principles)
What would you do?
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Criticisms of Kohlberg's
Theory of Moral Development:
 Does moral reasoning necessarily lead to moral behavior? Kohlberg's theory is
concerned with moral thinking, but there is a big difference between knowing
what we ought to do versus our actual actions.

 Is justice the only aspect of moral reasoning we should consider? Critics have
pointed out that Kohlberg's theory of moral development overemphasizes the
concept as justice when making moral choices. Other factors such as
compassion, caring, and other interpersonal feelings may play an important
part in moral reasoning.

 Does Kohlberg's theory overemphasize Western philosophy? Individualistic
cultures emphasize personal rights while collectivist cultures stress the
importance of society and community. Eastern cultures may have different
moral outlooks that Kohlberg's theory does not account for.
Watch the Heinz Dilemma
Name Stage of Development Reasoning
Alex
Old Man
Little Boy
Lady
Lady 2
Shane
LEARNING ACTIVITY
 For the following moral dilemma, describe a response
which might be given by someone in each of the first four
stages of Kohlberg's theory.
 Jill goes shopping one day with her best friend, Sujatha.
Sujatha tries on a jumper and walks out of the shop
wearing it under her jacket. Jill is left to face the store's
security person who insists that Jill names Sujatha and
gives Sujatha's address. The manager of the store tells Jill
she will be in serious trouble if she does not disclose
Sujatha's name and address. What should Jill do?

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Kohlberg’s Theory of

 However, movement through these stages are not natural, that is

 According to stage theory, people cannot understand moral reasoning

Pre-Conventional Moral Development

Obeys rules in order to avoid punishment

Is motivated by vengeance or “an eye for an eye”

Stage 4 – Law and Social Order

Is motivated by the belief in the greatest amount of good for

Believes that there are high moral principles than those

Example: “He shouldn’t steal the drug

Example: “It won’t do him any good to

Example: “He shouldn’t steal the drug

Example: “Although his wife needs the

Example: “He should not steal the drug.

Example: “He should steal the drug but

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