Lawrence Kohlberg Stages of Moral Development

 

In the early 1950s, graduate student Lawrence Kohlberg became inspired by the works of a clinical psychologist named Jean Piaget.

The theory was developed by Lawrence Kohlberg, a psychologist who studied moral development in children.

This theory explains the moral development that explains how people come to moral decisions.

 

The theory has three main principles:

1.        Moral reasoning is based on a person’s understanding of ethical principles.

2.      People progress through a series of developmental stages as they learn to reason about ethical principles.

3.      Moral development is a lifelong process.

Lawrence Kohlberg’s Post-conventional Morality

Lawrence Kohlberg’s post-conventional morality is a theory of moral development that describes how people come to understand ethical principles and make moral decisions.

 The theory is based on the idea that people progress through six stages of moral development, from a pre-conventional stage in which they obey rules simply because they are told to, to a post-conventional stage in which they understand ethical principles and make moral decisions based on their own understanding of right and wrong.

According to Kohlberg, the post-conventional stage is reached when people develop a sense of conscience that is based on abstract ethical principles, rather than on obedience to authority.

 

Lawrence Kohlberg Moral Development

Kohlberg’s theory of moral development is one of the most extensively researched and widely accepted theories of moral development. The theory is based on the idea that people progress through a series of six stages of moral development, each of which is associated with a different level of reasoning. Kohlberg’s theory has been used to explain the development of moral reasoning in children, adolescents, and adults.

The six stages of moral development are:

1.        Pre-Conventional Morality

2.      Conventional Morality

3.      Post-Conventional Morality

4.     Individualism

5.      Universalism

6.      Moral Principle

The six stages of moral development are:

1. Pre-Conventional Morality
2. Conventional Morality
3. Post-Conventional Morality
4. Individualistic Morality
5. Universalistic Morality

Stage 1: Pre-Conventional Morality

The first stage of moral development is Pre-Conventional Morality, which is characterized by a focus on the self and on obeying rules in order to avoid punishment or gain rewards. This stage is typically seen in children who are younger than 10 years old.

In this stage, children learn to obey rules in order to avoid punishment or gain rewards. The morality is based on external factors, such as what is legal or illegal, or what will get them in trouble or make them happy.

Stage 2: Conventional Morality

The second stage of moral development is Conventional Morality, which is characterized by a focus on the norms and expectations of the social group. This stage is typically seen in children who are 10 to 13 years old.

In this stage, children learn to conform to the expectations of others in order to be accepted and respected. The morality is based on societal norms and expectations.

Stage 3: Post-Conventional Morality

The third stage of moral development is Post-Conventional Morality, which is characterized by a focus on individual principles and values. This stage is typically seen in adolescents and adults.

In this stage, children learn to think for themselves and make their own decisions, based on their own values and principles. The morality is based on individual principles and ethics.