Kohlberg's theory of moral development outlines six stages of moral reasoning grouped into three levels: pre-conventional, conventional, and post-conventional. The document presents a moral dilemma where Nic discovers his brother Ryan plans to attend a concert against their parents' wishes. Nic struggles with whether to tell their parents. According to Kohlberg's stages, Nic could choose not to tell to avoid punishment or gain rewards from Ryan, or tell to seek social approval from his parents and appear honest. The document does not provide Nic's final decision.

1. Kohlberg’s Theory of
Moral Development
(Lawrence Kohlberg)

2. Moral Development
- child’s reasoning about
morality, their attitudes
toward moral lapses, and
their behavior when faced
with moral issues.

3. Kohlberg’s Stages
I. Pre-conventional Level
Stage 1: Punishment/Obedience
Stage 2: Mutual Benefit
II. Conventional Level
Stage 3: Social Approval
Stage 4: Law and Order
III.Post-conventional Level
Stage 5: Social Contract
Stage 6: Universal Principles

4. MORAL DILEMMA
Ryan has been saving up money to buy a ticket
for this concert of rock band. His parents
have discouraged him from going as the
concert will surely be with a rowdy crowd.
The band is notorious for having out-ofcontrol audience who somehow manages to
get drunk and stoned during the concert.
Ryan agreed not to watch anymore. But a day
before the concert, Nic, his brother, saw a
corner of what appeared to be a concert
ticket showing the pocket of Ryan’s bag.

5. Nic examined it and confirmed it was indeed a
ticket. Looking at Ryan’s bag, Nic also found an
extra shirt and 2 sticks of marijuana. So he
figured Ryan will go on to the concert after all.
That nigh, Ryan told his parents that he was
spending tomorrow night at a classmate’s house
for school requirement. Then, later that
evening, he told Nic of his plan to go to the
concert. Nic didn’t say anything, but he found it
difficult to sleep that night, thinking whether to
tell their parents of not.

6. I. Pre-conventional Level
• Stage 1 (Punishment/
Obedience)
- One is motivated by fear of
punishment
• Stage 2 (Mutual Benefit)
- The child conforms to gain
rewards.

7. • Yes, I will tell our parents because if they
found out later that I knew, for sure they
will get angry and most likely punish me.
• No, I will not tell because Ryan will make
my life difficult and also punish me for
telling.

8. • Yes, I will tell my parents because they will
reward me for it. I will subtly ask for that
new I pod that I’m wishing to have.
• No, I will not tell. Ryan will surely grant me
a lot of favors for not telling. He’ll not also
squeal on me.

9. II. Conventional Level
• Stage 3 ( Social Approval)
- The person acts because
he/she values how he/she will
appear to others.

10. • Yes, I will tell so my parents will think I am
such an honest boy.
• No, I will not tell. Ryan will think of me as
a really cool brother.

11. To be continued…

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