Kohlberg's stages of moral development were influenced by Piaget's stages of cognitive development. Kohlberg identified 6 stages of moral reasoning grouped into 3 levels - pre-conventional, conventional, and post-conventional. In the pre-conventional level, morality is based on consequences. In the conventional level, morality is based on social norms. In the post-conventional level, morality is based on principles of justice. Kohlberg believed that individuals progress through these stages in a fixed order as their moral reasoning becomes more advanced.

1. Module 8
KOHLBERG’S STAGES OF MORAL
DEVELOPMENT
MYLYN DELA CRUZ NICOLAS
BACHELOR OF ELEMENTARY EDUCATION-I

2. PERSONAL LIFE
Lawrence Kohlberg was born in
Bronxville, New York on October 25,
1927. Kohlberg enrolled in the
University of Chicago, and with high
examination scores, he was excused
from many required courses and
received his bachelor’s degree in just
one year. He receive his PhD in
psychology from the University of
Chicago in 1958. His dissertation was
based on his research into the moral
choices of adolescent boys and led to a
life devoted to the exploration of moral
and ethical development in young
people.

3. CONTRIBUTION TO PSYCHOLOGY
 Kohlberg’s stages of moral development were influenced
by the Swiss psychologist Jean Piaget’s stage-based theory
of development. Kohlberg expanded on Piaget’s two
stages identifying six stages of moral development. He
argued that correct moral decision-making, and that
correct moral reasoning would lead to ethical behavior.
Kohlberg believe that individuals progress through stages
of moral development just as they progress through stages
of cognitive development.

4. Kohlberg Theory of Moral
Development
Pre conventional Level
Moral reasoning is based on the consequence/result of the
act, not on the whether the act itself is good or bad.
Stage One. Punishment/ Obedience. One is motivated by
fear of punishment. He will act in order to avoid
punishment.
Example: The child won’t grab the candy at the
supermarket for fear of being spanked.

5. Stage two: Mutual Benefit.
One is motivated to act by the benefit that one may obtain
later. You scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours.
Example: A mother tells her child: “If you are quit at the
mall, I will buy you an ice cream”.

6. Conventional
Moral reasoning is based on the conventions or “norms” of
society. This may include approval of others, Law and order.
Stage Three. Social Approval.
One is motivated by what others expect in behavior good boy,
good girl. The person acts because he/she gives importance on
what people will think or say.
Example: Volunteering at a nursing home is the right thing to do.

7. Post conventional.
Moral reasoning is based on enduring or consistent principles. It
is not just recognizing the law, but the principles behind the law.
Stage Four. Law and Order.
One is motivated to act in order to uphold law and order. The
person will follow the law because it is the law.
Example: If you drink and drive your endangering the lives of
others on the road, not just yourself.

8. Stage Five: Social Contract.
Laws that are wrong can be changed. One will act based on
social justice and the common good.
Example: It is important for the world to stop the killing in
Darfur because we are morally obligated to stop genocide.

9. Stage Six: Universal Principles. This is associated with
the development of one’s conscience. Having a set of
standards that drives one to posses moral responsibility to
make societal changes regardless of consequence to oneself.
Example: Heinz should still the drug even if the person
was a stranger and not his wife. He must follow his
conscience and not let the druggist’s desire for money
outweigh the value of a human life.

10. Reference
https://www.goodtheraphy.org

11. THE END