Kohlberg’s Theory Essay

I’ve learned that Kohlberg’s Theory tries to understand how individuals develop their
moral interpretations. Kohlberg’s theory of Moral Development is the approach widely used to
examine moral reasoning. Kohlberg's ideas are inspired by Jean Piaget’s theory of moral
development which refers to the cognitive development that analyses how morals are developed.
Kohlberg’s theory is based on the responses to present conflicting scenarios that involve
hypothetical moral dilemmas cared about the reasoning behind the answers of individuals that are
classified into different stages and levels. The stages and levels of Kohlberg’s moral development
are associated with increasingly complex moral reasoning; pre-conventional morality,
conventional morality, and post-conventional morality.

At the pre-conventional morality level, it defines the basic right in such at this age the
individual is still relatively self-centered and insensitive to the moral effects of actions towards
others. This level holds 2 stages. Stage 1 is the obedience-and-punishment. It is where morality
focuses on the desire to obey rules and the behavior is driven by avoiding punishments. Stage 2 is
the individualism-and-exchange. It is where behavior is driven by self-interest and rewards. The
reasoning in this stage shows a limited interest in the needs of others, concerning only the best
individuals’ interests. At the conventional morality level, morality is linked with personal and
interpersonal relationships. Moral reasoning is based on the existing social norms and the rights of
others of the majority agreed on. This level holds stage 3 and stage 4. Stage 3, the good
interpersonal relationships in which behavior is driven by social approval. Individuals want the
approval of others and act in polite ways to avoid disapproval. Good behavior means having good
motives, so at this level, people believe that individuals should live up to the expectations of the
community and behave in good ways. Hence, people in this stage empathize and are no longer
selfish in their moral reasoning. Stage 4, the maintaining the social order, which behavior is driven
by obeying the authority and conforming to the norms. People have no need for personal approval
and rules should be followed for the importance of maintaining a functioning society. Moral
reasoning is beyond the need for individuals’ approval and motives. Therefore, the act of not
following the law would mean chaos to the civilization. Lastly, the post-conventional morality
level, which defined as the most advanced level of moral reasoning. The sense of morality of an
individual relies on abstract or universal principles and values. This stage holds stage 5 and stage
6. Stage 5, is the social contract and individual rights. At this stage, behavior is driven by the
balance of social order and individual rights. The assertion of different views are pushed, in such
perspectives needs to be equally respected by each person or community. Lastly stage 6, the
universal principles. It is where the behavior is driven by the self-moral principle and that apply
universally. In which individuals are capable of defining their own moral guidelines which may or
may not be coherent with the society that exists. Thus, people have different judgments of the rest
of the entities and defend their principles.

As for my understanding, Kohlberg’s theory applies mainly based on the individualistic

culture society and does not represent the thought process of collective cultures. One of the major
criticism of Kohlberg’s theory was it biased against women because the sample used was the only
male, so all male definition of morality was considered. Thus, it is known that the female moral
considerations are well-defined and more advanced than the male moral definition in certain ways.
The aspects of reasoning of women are focus on connecting and maintaining interpersonal
relationships, which is adverse to the idea of Kohlberg’s theory.