Kohlberg -Moral Development

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• 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 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.


• 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 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.


• 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


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

and interest


• 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.


• 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


• 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


• 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.


• Need revision?

• Yes

• Or

• No

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Kohlberg -Moral Development