Moral Development Theory

Kohlberg's moral growth hypothesis is divided into three levels: preconventional morality,
conventional morality, and postconventional morality. Lawrence Kohlberg's Moral growth Theory
is a psychology theory that examines people's moral and cognitive growth throughout their
lifetimes. According to the theory, moral reasoning evolves in phases throughout time, each of
which reflects a more mature and in-depth grasp of moral quandaries.

Level 1 – Preconventional Morality

Preconventional children obey authority figures such as their parents or teachers and adhere to
regulations based on consequences rather than moral convictions. They obey the law to avoid
punishment or gain without developing their own moral compass. This stage lasts until the child
is eight years old.

Stage 1: Punishment/Obedience Orientation

The first stage of preconventional morality is concerned with obedience and punishment. This
stage is most frequently observed in younger children. This is because youngsters perceive
rules to be permanent and specific. Following rules is crucial and must be done because a
youngster believes it is the only way to escape punishment. A youngster will recall a specific act
and conclude that repeating it would be bad because it resulted in punishment the first time. The
harsher the penalty for the conduct, the worse the act is regarded to be. Despite the fact that
this stage is more common among children, adults are similarly influenced by the dread of
punishment and will base their actions accordingly, but with a better understanding of why.

Stage 2: Instrumental Purpose Orientation

Individualism and exchange are examples of notions found in stage two. At this point, children
understand that the authorities do not always have the appropriate answer. diverse people have
diverse angles of view. Children consider individual points of view and act in ways that satisfy
individual needs. The primary goal is usually to satisfy one's own interests. Stage two reasoning
is uninterested in other people's perspectives or demands. When a child or adult is at this stage,
the phrase "I’ll play with you, You play with me" is often used.

Level 2 – Conventional Morality

Adolescent moral growth is guided by conventional morality, which is founded on tradition and
cultural norms. It highlights the importance of adhering to rules and expectations in order to
keep order.

Stage 3: Good Boy/Nice Girl orientation

interpersonal connections are stage 3 and are primarily concerned with meeting societal
expectations. In this stage, children and adults consider how their choices affect their
connections. An individual will act in order to obtain the approval of others. During this time,
peer pressure is quite powerful. People will go to great lengths to remain loyal to a popular look,
lifestyle, or group of people in order to achieve or maintain approbation. School children are
frequently influenced by people and are surrounded by persuasion, which is why teens are more
prone to fall into this category. As the child/individual grows aware of society's broader rules,
judgments concern observing laws in order to uphold the law and avoid guilt.

Stage 4: Law and Order Orientation

The fourth stage of conventional morality is concerned with sustaining social order. This is the
highest stage that the majority of adults will reach. When forming judgments and decisions at
this level, people consider society. Usually, people question how something will effect society as
a whole. Rather than focusing on individual views and relationships, the purpose is to maintain
law and order by following laws and honoring authority.

Level 3 – Postconventional Morality

A person at the third phase of moral development, or postconventional morality, recognizes

universal ethical principles and based decisions on their own convictions. It is typically obtained
by 10-15% of the population and includes conceptual ideals such as justice and human dignity.

Stage 5: Social Contract Orientation

Individual rights serve as a direction for action, whereas laws and Regulations are adaptive
tools for achieving human goals. Balancing the interests of the majority with the rights of the
individual yields better results.

Stage 6: Universal Ethical Principle Orientation

According to Kohlberg's theory, universal principles guide ethical decision-making by taking into
account the perspectives of all individuals or groups and ensuring that the proper acts are
performed at the highest degree of functioning.

Reflection
The universal principle is the theory's last stage. The main focus is on upholding justice values
even when they disagree with laws or norms. A person in this stage may believe in justice, yet
he or she may also consider that certain rules or laws are unjust. This may lead to a person
breaking a law because it isn't deemed right, rather than not caring about it. At this level, an
individual will act because it is morally right or wrong, not because it is in their best interests,
anticipated, lawful, or previously agreed upon. Although Kohlberg insisted that stage 6 existed,
identifying individuals who consistently operated at this level was challenging.
All of Kohlberg's stages assess outcomes, but the main focus is on behavior and how various
thoughts lead to specific acts. A toddler or adult can frequently categorize into multiple stages at
the same time and base acts on diverse moral beliefs. Of course, this idea can be criticized, but
it is difficult to refute the reality in these stages and how it never goes undetected in ordinary life.