L AWRENCE K OHLBERG Stage Theory of Moral Development.

LAWRENCE KOHLBERGStage Theory of Moral Development

LAWRENCE KOHLBERG ( 1927-1987) Born into a wealthy

family in New York Was a merchant marine

in WW2 Snuck Jews through

British blockade of Palestine Inspired him to study

moral development Earned his BA in

Psychology in 1 year at University of Chicago and his doctorate by 1958.

Work was based on Piaget and Dewey

Taught at Yale then Harvard Survey approach – tell story

and measure responses Developed rare tropical

disease that disabled him in many ways and caused extreme depression in 1973

Disappeared in January 1987 and was later found in a swamp Some suspect suicide.

THE THEORY IN A NUTSHELL

Came up with a cognitive theory about the development of children’s moral reasoning.

This happens in stages that are always sequential and cannot be skipped

Children advance at different rates and not everyone reaches the last stage

There are three levels of moral development 2 stages within each level

THE PRECONVENTIONAL LEVEL

0-9 Years Preconventional moral reasoning:

judgments are based on consequences of actions/behavior.

Stage 1: Obedience and Punishment “good” is what helps avoid punishment

Stage 2: Instrumental Morality “good” is what satisfies needs

THE CONVENTIONAL LEVEL

Conventional moral reasoning: judgments based on whether the act conform to conventional standards/rules/expectations. These come from influences like family, religion,

and society as a whole. Stage 3: Good Boy/Girl Morality

“good” meets your needs and the expectations of other people

Stage 4: Law and Order “good” means maintaining social order and

following the rules

THE POSTCONVENTIONAL STAGE Postconventional moral reasoning: reasoning

based on a person’s own moral standards of goodness

Stage 5: Social Contract Recognizes that laws have a purpose and value and

shouldn’t be violated without good reason Laws cannot bind someone in exceptional circumstances

Stage 6: Principles of Conscience Acts that that support the values of human life, justice

and dignity are moral and “good” Rely on your own conscience Don’t necessarily obey laws or agree with other’s

opinions

GUIDED PRACTICE

HOLES AND BIAS IN KOHLBERG’S THEORY Boys appear to reason at higher levels of

moral development than girls. Kohlberg believed that few people can make

it past stage 4.

GILLIGAN’S THEORY OF MORAL DEVELOPMENT

Females go through stages of moral development too but the involve her perception of herself in relationship to others.

3 Stages Stage 1: Survival

Caring for self/ I have no one but myself Transition of self centeredness to responsibility Stage 2: Goodness

Caring for Others Transition of Conformity to social expectations to

choice(my needs versus the needs of others)

Stage3: Balance Caring for self and others

APPLICATION

Consider both the theories of Kohlberg and Gilligan, which do you think has more validity in your life? What stage do you think you are currently in? Why?