THEORY OF MORAL DEVELOPMENT

KOHLBERG

KOHLBERG’S THEORY OF MORAL DEVELOPMENT

• Kohlberg refined and extended Piaget’s theory of moral development

• by asking 10-13-16 years old boys to resolve a series of moral dilemmas.

KOHLBERG’S THEORY OF MORAL DEVELOPMENT

• Kohlberg• Each dilemma challenged the boys requiring

them to choose between • Obeying a rule, law or authority figure• and• Taking some action that conflicts with these

rules and commands while serving a human need.

KOHLBERG’S THEORY OF MORAL DEVELOPMENT

• Kohlberg’s best known moral dilemma • Heinz’ wife was a cancer patient .• A druggist had the medicine with him, but the

cost he demanded was so high that Heinz could not bear it.

KOHLBERG’S THEORY OF MORAL DEVELOPMENT

• The druggist did not reduce the price for him• Heinz broke in to the druggist’s shop, stole the

medicine to save his wife.• Was Heinz right or wrong?

KOHLBERG’S THEORY OF MORAL DEVELOPMENT

• Kohlberg theorized that moral development occurs in three levels.

• Pre - conventional level ( pre-moral level)• Conventional level• Post- conventional level ( self accepted moral

principles)• Each level has two stages. Hence there are six

stages in total.

KOHLBERG’S THEORY OF MORAL DEVELOPMENT

• Pre- Conventional Morality ( pre-moral level)• 4 to 10 years • It is divided in to the following stages • Stage- 1• PUNISHMENT AND OBEDIENCE ORIENTATION• The moral behaviour is expressed by obeying

parents and elders to avoid punishment

KOHLBERG’S THEORY OF MORAL DEVELOPMENT

• Stage-2• REWARD ORIENTATION• Or• Naïve hedonism• Instrumental relativist orientation• Children obey orders to satisfy their needs

and interest

KOHLBERG’S THEORY OF MORAL DEVELOPMENT

• Conventional level• 10 to 13 years• It is divided in to the following stages• Stage-3• INTERPERSONAL CONCORDANCE• Good boy – Good girl orientation• Their moral behaviour is determined by their

desire to get approval of others for good acts.

KOHLBERG’S THEORY OF MORAL DEVELOPMENT

• Stage – 4• The law and order orientation• Moral behaviour is determined by obeying the

rules for maintaining social order.• Here what is right is what conforms to the

legitimate authority

KOHLBERG’S THEORY OF MORAL DEVELOPMENT

• Post -Conventional Level or autonomous level • It is divided in to the following stages• Stage – 5 • The social Contract orientation• Right behaviours are determined by standards

determined by the society for the majority.• It can be changed for the welfare of the society

KOHLBERG’S THEORY OF MORAL DEVELOPMENT

• Stage – 6 • Universal ethical principle orientation• It can be compared to a stage of moral

musical chair• Right is defined by the decision of conscience

and belief in universal principles of justice, respect and equality.

KOHLBERG’S THEORY OF MORAL DEVELOPMENT

• Need revision?

• Yes

• Or

• No