GROUP 2

Kohlberg's Moral Development Theory

Course: Introduction to Psychology Programme: PBCMS 1B Date: February 2, 2006 Presentation Group 2 Group members
Howard Smith (Group Leader) Tricia-Gaye Gordon TriciaHoward Williams Yanecia Stewart Patrica Anderson

Lawrence Kohlberg (American)(1927(American)(1927-1988)

Psychologist Expanded Piaget s theory of moral development in children Key concepts: Stages of Moral Development, the Heinz scenario

Kohlberg s Moral Theory.

Theory Overview
What is moral development? A stage theory Progress without skipping Not automatic Understanding limited to one stage ahead

Kohlberg's Theory of Moral Development

Level One: PrePre-conventional Morality - Stage 1: Punishment1: Punishment2: Obedience Orientation Stage 2: Instrumental Relativist Orientation Level Two: Conventional Morality - Stage 3: Good Boy-Nice 3: Boy4: Girl Orientation Stage 4: Law and Order Orientation Level Three: PostPost-Conventional Morality - Stage 5: Social 5: 6: Contract Orientation Stage 6: Universal Ethical Principle Orientation

HEINZ DILEMMA
Starring
In alphabetical order

Patricia Anderson Narrator/Neighbour TriciaTricia-Gaye Gordon Heinz wife Howard Smith Chemist Smith Yanecia Stewart Officer Brown Howard Williams - Heinz

Level One (1) -Pre-conventional Morality Pre-

Lawrence Kohlberg: "Physical consequences of an action determine its goodness or badness regardless of the human meaning or value of these consequences. Avoidance of punishment and unquestioning deference to power are valued in their own right, not in terms of respect for an underlying moral order supported by punishment and authority." (Duska, R. and Whelan, M.,
1975)

Stage1
Punishment Obedience Orientation

Lawrence Kohlberg: Right action is "that which instrumentally satisfies one's own needs and occasionally the needs of others." "Human relations are viewed in terms like those of the marketplace; elements of fairness, reciprocity and equal sharing are present, but they are always interpreted in a physical or pragmatic way. Reciprocity is a matter of 'you scratch my back and I'll scratch yours,' not of loyalty, gratitude or justice." (Duska, R. and Whelan, M., 1975)

Stage 2
Instrumental Relativist Orientation

Lawrence Kohlberg: "Good behavior is that which pleases or helps others and is approved by them. There is much conformity to stereotypical images of what is majority or 'natural' behavior. Behavior is frequently judged by intention. 'He means well' becomes important for the first time. One earns approval by being 'nice.'" (Duska, R. and Whelan, M., 1975)

Level Two (2) -Conventional Morality

Lawrence Kohlberg: "Good behavior is that which pleases or helps others and is approved by them. There is much conformity to stereotypical images of what is majority or 'natural' behaviour. Behavior is frequently judged by intention. 'He means well' becomes important for the first time. One earns approval by being 'nice.'" (Duska, R. and Whelan, M., 1975)

Stage3

Good Boy-Nice Girl Orientation Boy-Good behavior -Society s response

Lawrence Kohlberg: "Right behavior consists in doing one's duty, showing respect for authority and maintaining the given social order for its own sake." A person in this stage "orients to society as a system of fixed rule, law and authority with the prospect of any deviation from rules as leading to social chaos." (Duska, R. and Whelan, M., 1975)

Stage 4
Law and Order Orientation -Respect for Authority

Level Three (3) -Post-Conventional Morality Post-

Lawrence Kohlberg: Generally with utilitarian overtones. Right action tends to be defined in terms of general individual rights of standards which have been critically examined and agreed upon by the whole society with an emphasis upon the possibility of changing law in terms of rational consideration of social utility (rather than rigidly maintaining it in terms of Stage 4 law and order) (Duska, R. and Whelanm, M 1975)

Stage 5
Social Contract Orientation -Emphasis on rights.

Lawrence Kohlberg: Right is defined by the decision of conscience in accordance with selfselfchosen ethical principles appealing to the logical comprehensiveness, universality and consistency. These principles are abstract and ethical and are not concrete moral rules like the ten commandments. At heart , these are universal principles of justice, of the reciprocity and equality of human rights, and of respect for the dignity of human beings as individual persons. (Duska, R. and Whelan, M 1975)

Stage 6
Universal Ethical Principle Orientation -Individual principles of conscience

Survey Overview
Kohberg's Theory of Moral Development
Phase 6 Phase 5 Phase 4 Phase 3 Phase 2 Phase 1 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80%

<18

19-25

26-30

31-40

41-50

>50

QUESTION & ANSWER.

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