Lawrence Kohlberg opines that child's
cognitive capabilities determine the growth of
his moral reasoning . Further; moral
development builds on concepts acquired in
various stages, such that the attainment in
each stage becomes a product of the previous
stage.
LEVEL I
• Stage 1 – Punishment-Obedience Orientation
• Stage 2 – Instrumental Relativist Orientation
LEVEL II
• Stage 3 – Good Boy – Nice Girl Orientation
• Stage 4 – Law and Order Orientation
LEVEL III
• Stage 5 – Social Contract Orientation
• Stage 6 – Universal Ethical Principle Orientation
Kohlberg’s Stages of Moral
Development
STAGE 1. OBEBIENCE AND
PUNISHMENT ORIENTATION
- the morality of act is defined by its
physical consequences.
- They see rules as fixed and absolute.
LEVEL I
PRECONVENTIONAL MORALITY
Heinz should not steal
the medicine because he
will consequently be put in
prison which will mean he is
a bad person.
STAGE 2. NAÏVE HEDONISTIC AND
INSTRUMENTAL ORIENTATION
- the child conforms to gain
rewards. the child understands
reciprocity and sharing , but this
reciprocity is manipulative and
self-serving rather than
based on a true sense of
justice, generosity,
sympathy or compassion.
Heinz should steal the
medicine because he will be
much happier if he saves his
wife, even if he will have to
serve a prison sentence.
LEVEL II
CONVENTIONAL MPORALITY: CONVENTIONAL RULES AND MORALITY
STAGE 3. GOOD BOY
MORALITY-The child's good behavior is
designed to maintain approval and
good relations with others. The child is
concerned with approval rather than
physical power.
Heinz should steal the
medicine because his wife
expects it; he wants to be a
good husband
STAGE 4. AUTHORITY AND MORALITY THAT
MAINTAIN THE SOCIAL ORDER.
- The person blindly accept social
conventions and rules they should be
maintained to avoid censure. He now
conforms not just to other individuals but to
the social order. This is the epitome of ‘law
and order’ morality, involving unquestioning
acceptance of
social regulations.
Heinz should not steal
the medicine because the
law prohibits stealing,
making it illegal.
LEVEL III
POSTCONVENTIONAL MORALITY: SELF ACCEPTED MORAL PRINCIPLES.
STAGE 5. MORALITY OF
CONTRACT
- People now have a flexibility
of moral beliefs they lacked in earlier
stage. Morality is based on
agreement among individuals to
conforms to norms that appear
necessary to maintain the social
order and the rights of others.
Heinz should steal the
medicine because
everyone has a right to
choose life, regardless of
the law.
STAGE 6. MORALITY OF INDIVIDUAL
PRINCIPLES AND CONSCIENCE.
- People conforms both to
social standards and to internalized
ideals. Their intent is to avoid self-
condemnation rather than
criticism of others. People base
their decisions on abstract
principles involving justice,
compassion and equality.
Heinz should steal the
medicine, because saving
a human life is a more
fundamental value than the
property rights of another
person.