Lesson 2:

DEVELOPMENT OF
MORAL
CHARACTER
 IMPORTANCE OF HAVING A STRONG MORAL
CHARACTER

When you have a strong moral character, you’ll be judged by who you are rather than who you pretend to be. Below
are some of the consequences of having a strong moral character (Sonnenberg, 2016):
 Achieve peace of mind
 Strengthen trust
 Build a solid reputation
 Reduce anxiety
 Increase leadership effectiveness
 Build confidence
 Become a positive role model
 Live a purpose-driven life
 Build a strong business
 DEVELOPMENT OF
MORAL CHARACTER

If you believe that developing your character is an endeavor you want to pursue, here are some
steps to show you how:
 Define your core values- Know what is most important to you by determining your values for your
professional and personal life.
 Practice the habits- Pick one or two traits of good character to practice for several weeks. Write
down the actions you want to take or the behaviors you define that reflect this trait and implement
them in your daily life and interactions.
 Find people with character- Surround yourself with people who reflect the character traits you
want to embrace.
 DEVELOPMENT OF
MORAL CHARACTER

 Take some risk- Start taking small actions toward a goal or value that
involve some level of risk. When you face the possibility of failure and
challenge toward success, you become mentally and emotionally stronger
and more committed to your principles.
 Stretch yourself- Create high standards and big goals for yourself.
 Commit to self-improvement- Realize that building your character is a
lifelong endeavor. There will be times you step up to the character.
 CHARACTER TRAITS THAT IMPACT ONE’S
HAPPINESS
(liveboldandbloom.com)

• Integrity- Integrity is having strong moral principles and core values and then conducting your
life with those as your guide.
• Honesty- Honesty is more than telling the truth. It is living the truth.
• Loyalty- Loyalty is faithfulness and devotion to your loved ones with whom you have a trusted
relationship.
• Respectfulness- You treat yourself and others with courtesy, kindness, deference, dignity and
civility.
• Responsibility- You accept personal, relational, career, community, and societal obligations
even when they are difficult or uncomfortable.
 CHARACTER TRAITS THAT IMPACT ONE’S
HAPPINESS
(liveboldandbloom.com)

• Humility- You have a confident yet modest opinion of your own self-importance.
• Compassion- You feel deep sympathy and pity for the suffering and misfortune of others, and
you have a desire to do something to alleviate their suffering.
• Fairness- Using discernment, compassion, and integrity, you strive to make decisions and take
actions based on what you consider the ultimate best course or outcome for all involved.
• Forgiveness- You make conscious, intentional decisions to let go of resentment and anger
toward someone for an offense-whether or not forgiveness is sought by the offender. It extends
both to others and to one’s self.
• Authenticity- You are able to be your real and true self, without pretension, posturing, or
insincerity.
 CHARACTER TRAITS THAT IMPACT ONE’S
HAPPINESS
(liveboldandbloom.com)

• Courageousness- In spite of fear and danger, discomfort or pain, you have the mental fortitude
to carry on with a commitment, plan, or decision, knowing it is the right or best course of action.
• Generosity- You are willing to offer your time, energy, efforts, emotions, words, or assets without
the expectation of something in return.
• Perseverance- It is the steadfast persistence and determination to continue on with course of
action, belief, or purpose, even if its difficult or uncomfortable in order to reach a higher goal or
outcome.
• Politeness- You are knowledgeable of basic good manners, common courtesies, and etiquette,
and are willing to apply those to all people you encounter.
• Kindness- It is an attitude of being considerate, helpful and benevolent to others.
 CHARACTER TRAITS THAT IMPACT ONE’S
HAPPINESS
(liveboldandbloom.com)

• Lovingness- The ability to be loving toward those you love means showing them through your
words, actions, and expressions how deeply you care about them.
• Optimism- It is the sense of hopefulness and confidence about the future.
• Reliability- You can be consistently depended upon to follow through on your commitments,
actions, and decisions. You do what you say you will do.
• Conscientiousness- You have the desire to do things well or to the best of your ability.
• Self-discipline- You are able, through good habits or willpower, to overcome your desires or
feelings in order to follow the best course of action or to rise to your commitments or principles.
 Lesson 3:
STAGES OF MORAL
DEVELOPMENT
 KOHLBERG’S STAGES OF MORAL
DEVELOPMENT
A major task beginning in childhood and continuing into adolescence is discerning right from
wrong. Lawrence Kohlberg’s stages of moral development is a comprehensive stage theory of
moral development based on Jean Piaget’s theory of moral development for children. Kohlberg’s
theory focuses on the thinking process that occurs when one decides whether a behavior is right
and wrong.
The framework of Kohlberg’s theory consists of six stages arranged sequentially in successive
tiers of complexity. He organized his six stages into three general levels of moral development:
 Pre-conventional Level
 Conventional Level
 Post-conventional or principled level
 LEVEL 1:
PRE-CONVENTIONAL LEVEL
At the pre conventional level, morality is externally controlled. Rules imposed by authority
figures are conformed to in order to avoid punishment or receive rewards. This perspective involves
the idea that what is right is what one can get away with or what is personally satisfying. Level 1 has
two stages:

 STAGE 1: Punishment/obedience orientation- behavior is determined by consequences. The

individual will obey in order to avoid punishment.
 STAGE 2: Instrumental purpose orientation- Behavior is determined again by consequences.
The individual focuses on receiving rewards or satisfying personal needs.
 LEVEL 2:
CONVENTIONAL LEVEL
At the conventional level, conformity to social rules remains important to the individual.
However, the emphasis shifts from self-interest to relationships with other people and social
systems. The individual strives to support rules that are set forth by others such as parents, peers,
and the government in order to win their approval or to maintain social order.
 STAGE 3: Good Boy/ Nice Girl Orientation- behavior is determined by social approval. The
individual wants to maintain or win the affection and approval of others by being a “good person.”
 STAGE 4: Law and Order Orientation- Social rules and laws determine behavior. The individual
now takes into consideration a larger perspective, that of societal laws. Moral decision making
becomes more than consideration of close ties to others. The individual believes that rules and
laws maintain social order that is worth preserving.
 LEVEL 3:
POST-CONVENTIONAL OR PRINCIPLED
LEVEL
At the post-conventional level, the individual moves beyond the perspective of his or her own
society. Morality is defined in terms of abstract principles and values that apply to all situations and
societies. The individual takes the perspective of all individuals.
 STAGE 5: Social Contract Orientation- Individual rights determine behavior. The individual views
laws and rules as flexible tools for improving human purposes. When laws are not consistent with
individual rights and the interests of the majority, it does not bring about good for people and
alternatives should be considered.
 STAGE 6: Universal Ethical Principle Orientation-According to Kohlberg, this is the highest stage
of functioning. However, he claimed that some individuals will never reach this level. At this stage, the
appropriate action is determined by one’s self-chosen ethical principles of conscience. This type of
reasoning involves taking the perspective of every person or group that could potentially be affected
by the decision.
 ARGUMENTS AGAINST KOHLBERG’S
THEORY

Carol Gilligan, research assistant of

Kohlberg, criticized her former
Kohlberg(1969) felt that more males
mentor’s theory and argued that
than females move past stage four
women are not deficient in their
in their moral development. He went moral reasoning- she proposed that
on to note that women seem to be males and females reason
deficient in their moral reasoning differently. Girls and women focus
abilities. more on staying connected and the
importance of interpersonal
relationship.