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