KOHLBERG’S STAGES OF MORAL DEVELOPMENT

 Lawrence Kohberg was interested in studying the development of mental reasoning.

 Our ability to choose right from wrong tied with our ability to understand and reason logically.
 He believed that children form ways of thinking through their experiences which include understandings of
moral concepts such us justice, rights, equality, and human welfare.
 He did not aim to judge whether the responses were right or wrong.
 He was interested in analysing the moral reasoning behind the responses.

LEVEL STAGE DESCRIPTION EXAMPLE

PRE-
CONVENTIONAL “Yes I will tell our parents. Because of they found out later
LEVEL PUNISHMENT/OBEDIENCE. that I knew, for sure they will get angry and most likely
1 One is motivated by fear of punish me.”
Moral reasoning
is based on the punishment. He will act in “No, I will not tell because Ryan will make my life difficult
consequence/ order to avoid punishment. and also punish me for telling.”
result of the act, “Yes, I will tell my parents because they will reward me for
MUTUAL BENEFIT. One is it. I will subtly ask for that new I pod that Im wishing to
not on the motivated to act by the
whether the act 2 have.”
benefit that one may obtain “No I will not tell. Ryan will surely grant me a lot of favors
itself is good or later.
bad. for not telling. He’ll not also squeal on me.”
CONVENTIONAL SOCIAL APPROVAL. One is “Yes, I will tell so my parents will think I am such an
Moral reasoning motivated by what others honest boy.”
is based on the expect I behavior - good boy, “No, I will not tell. Ryan will think of me as a really
conventions or 3 good girl. The person acts cool brother.”
"norms" of because he values how he
society. This may will appear to others
include approval LAW AND ORDER. One is
of others, law and motivated to act in order to
order. uphold law and order. The “Yes I will tell because we should follow the rules that
4 person will follow the law our parents say.”
because it is the law. “No, because it’s been our rule to keep each other’s
secrets!”
POST SOCIAL CONTRACT. Laws “Yes, I will tell because he might be hurt or get in
CONVENTIONAL that are wrong can be trouble and his welfare is top most priority.”
Moral reasoning 5 changed. One will act based “No because he is big enough to question my parents
is based on on social justice and the decision not to let him go.”
enduring or common good.
consistent UNIVERSAL PRINCIPLES.
principles. It is This is associated with the
not just development of one's
recognizing the conscience. Having a set of
law, but the 6 standards that drives one to “Yes, I will tell because lying is always wrong and I
principles behind possess moral responsibilty want to be true to what I believe in.”
the law. to make societal changes “No, because I believe brothers watch out for each
regardless of consequences other. If he trusted me with this, I should stay true to
to oneself. him not say anything.”

ASSIGNMENT:
Read a research that is related to Kohlberg Theory.
 Problem
 Research Methodology
 Findings
 Conclusions
Situation:
Ryan, 17, has been saving up money to buy ticket for this concert of rock band. His parents have discouraged him from going
as the concert will surely be with a rowdy crowd. The band is notorious for having out-of-control audience who somehow
manages to get drunk and stoned during the concert. Ryan agreed not to watch anymore. But a day before the concert, Nic, 15-
year-old of Ryan, saw a corner of what appeared to be concert ticket showing in the pocket of Ryan’s bag. Nic examined it and
confirmed it was indeed a ticket. Looking at Ryan’s bag, Nic also found an extra shirt and 2 sticks of marijuana. So he figured
Ryan will go to the concert after all. That night, Ryan told his parents that he was spending tomorrow night at a classmate’s
house for a school requirement. Then later that evening, he told Nic of his plan to go to the concert. Nic didn’t say anything, but
he found it difficult to sleep that night, thinking whether to tell their parents or not.

If you were Nic, what would you do?

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Situation:
Ryan, 17, has been saving up money to buy ticket for this concert of rock band. His parents have discouraged him from going
as the concert will surely be with a rowdy crowd. The band is notorious for having out-of-control audience who somehow
manages to get drunk and stoned during the concert. Ryan agreed not to watch anymore. But a day before the concert, Nic, 15-
year-old of Ryan, saw a corner of what appeared to be concert ticket showing in the pocket of Ryan’s bag. Nic examined it and
confirmed it was indeed a ticket. Looking at Ryan’s bag, Nic also found an extra shirt and 2 sticks of marijuana. So he figured
Ryan will go to the concert after all. That night, Ryan told his parents that he was spending tomorrow night at a classmate’s
house for a school requirement. Then later that evening, he told Nic of his plan to go to the concert. Nic didn’t say anything, but
he found it difficult to sleep that night, thinking whether to tell their parents or not.

If you were Nic, what would you do?

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Situation:
Ryan, 17, has been saving up money to buy ticket for this concert of rock band. His parents have discouraged him from going
as the concert will surely be with a rowdy crowd. The band is notorious for having out-of-control audience who somehow
manages to get drunk and stoned during the concert. Ryan agreed not to watch anymore. But a day before the concert, Nic, 15-
year-old of Ryan, saw a corner of what appeared to be concert ticket showing in the pocket of Ryan’s bag. Nic examined it and
confirmed it was indeed a ticket. Looking at Ryan’s bag, Nic also found an extra shirt and 2 sticks of marijuana. So he figured
Ryan will go to the concert after all. That night, Ryan told his parents that he was spending tomorrow night at a classmate’s
house for a school requirement. Then later that evening, he told Nic of his plan to go to the concert. Nic didn’t say anything, but
he found it difficult to sleep that night, thinking whether to tell their parents or not.

If you were Nic, what would you do?

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Situation:
Ryan, 17, has been saving up money to buy ticket for this concert of rock band. His parents have discouraged him from going
as the concert will surely be with a rowdy crowd. The band is notorious for having out-of-control audience who somehow
manages to get drunk and stoned during the concert. Ryan agreed not to watch anymore. But a day before the concert, Nic, 15-
year-old of Ryan, saw a corner of what appeared to be concert ticket showing in the pocket of Ryan’s bag. Nic examined it and
confirmed it was indeed a ticket. Looking at Ryan’s bag, Nic also found an extra shirt and 2 sticks of marijuana. So he figured
Ryan will go to the concert after all. That night, Ryan told his parents that he was spending tomorrow night at a classmate’s
house for a school requirement. Then later that evening, he told Nic of his plan to go to the concert. Nic didn’t say anything, but
he found it difficult to sleep that night, thinking whether to tell their parents or not.

If you were Nic, what would you do?

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