Kohlberg s Theory of Moral Development

1. Kohlberg’s Theory of Moral Development

2. Kohlberg 1969, 1976 Heinz Dilemma Identified 3 levels of moral development Each level has 2 stages = total of 6 stages Lawrence Kohlberg (1927-1987) was a well-known theorist in the field of moral development. He posed moral dilemmas (e.g., Heinz Dilemma) to his subjects then asked questions to probe their reasons for recommending a specific course of action.Lawrence Kohlberg (1927-1987) was a well-known theorist in the field of moral development. He posed moral dilemmas (e.g., Heinz Dilemma) to his subjects then asked questions to probe their reasons for recommending a specific course of action.

3. Level One Level One: Pre-Conventional Morality Stage 1: Punishment-Obedience Orientation Stage 2: Naïve Instrumental Hedonism

4. Level Two Level Two: Conventional Morality Stage 3: Good Boy Morality Stage 4: Authority Maintaining Morality

5. Level Three Level Three: Post-Conventional Morality Stage 5: Morality of Contract and Democracy Stage 6: Morality of Individual Principles of Conscience

6. Progression of Stages Begin to appreciate opinions/perspectives of others Changes come about when children can discuss others’ points of view Focus moves from self to others

7. Practice Questions Response to Dilemma 1: “If you let your wife die, you will get in trouble. You’ll be blamed for not spending the money to save her and there’ll be an investigation of you and the druggist for your wife’s death.” Response to Dilemma 1: “The law wasn’t set up for these circumstances. Taking the drug in this situation isn’t really right, buts it’s justified to do it.”

8. Resources Bukatko, D. & Daehler, M. W. (1998). Child Development: A Thematic Approach (3rd ed.). New York, New York: Houghton Mifflin Company. Blessed to Be a Blessing. Kohlberg's Theory of Moral Development: Explained and Illustrated. Retrieved January 22, 2008, fromhttp://www.vtaide.com/blessing/Kohlberg.ht