Kohlberg`s Theory of
Moral Development
Morality defined
Principles concerning the
distinction between right
and wrong or good and
bad behavior.
LAWRENCE KOHLBERG
October 25,1927- January 19,1987
Was a Jewish American psychologist born in
Bronxville, New York
Expanded on the earlier work of cognitive
theorist Jean Piaget to explain the moral
development of children, which he believed
follows a series of stages.
THE HEINZ DILEMMA
Heinz Dilemma
Heinz` wife near death
from a special kind of
cancer.
There was one drug that
the doctors thought
might save her. It was a
form of radium that the
druggist in the same
town had recently
discovered.
The drug was expensive,
but the druggist was
charging 10 times what it
cost him to produce.
He paid $200 for the
radium and charge $
2,000 for a small dose of
the drug.
The sick woman`s
husband, Heinz, went to
everyone he knew to
borrow money, but he
could only get together
$1,000which was half the
cost.
He told the druggist that his
wife was dying and asked if
he would sell it to him at a
cheaper price. He also
agreed to pay the full
amount when he was able.
The druggist said, “ No!,
I discovered the drug
and I expect to make
money from it!”
Heinz became desperate
and broke into the man`s
store and stole the drug
for his wife.
QUESTION
Should Heinz have stolen the drug for his wife?
YES or NO?
Kohlberg did not care whether individuals said
“ yes “ or “ no “ but rather he cared about their
reasoning behind their answer.
Depending on their reasoning, individual were
categorized one levels/stages of moral
development.
QUESTIONS
Should Heinz have stolen the rug for his wife?
Would it change anything if Heinz did not love his
wife?
What if the person dying was a stranger, would it
make any difference?
Should the police arrest the chemist for murder if
the woman died?
Lawrence Kohlberg – Moral Development
Level 1: Pre-
conventional Stage 1 Stage 2
morality
Level 2:
Conventional Stage 3 Stage 4
morality
Level 3: Post-
Conventionality Stage 5 Stage 6
morality
The Heinz Dilemma
A B C
Heinz should Heinz should
steal the not steal the Heinz should
drugs, and not drugs, since steal the drug,
go to prison he would be and accept any
as this is breaking the prison sentence.
unfair. law.
State of mind You are probably in the
mostly up to Level 1: Pre- Conventional morality
the 7th year of
our life
Right and wrong determined
by rewards/punishment
B
Stage 1: Obedience and Stage 2: Instrumental
Heinz should Orientation.
Punishment Orientation.
not steal the Children desire to obey Children act like give and
drugs, since rules and avoid being take strategy, you do my
he would be punished, if they are work and I will do yours. In
breaking the punished, which gives the this stage, children take
law. signals that their act is some incentive in return to
morally wrong. do work.
8-13 years You are probably in the
old Level 2: Conventional morality
Views of others matter. Avoidance of
blame and seeking approval.
C
Stage 3: Good Boy or Nice
Heinz Girl Orientation. Stage 4: Law and Order
should People want to be praised Orientation.
steal the and want to be seen as a People become aware of
drug, and good boy or nice girl by wider rules of society
accept any others. People want to be and follow the law to
prison attain good social status and avoid guilt.
sentence. recognition.
Adulthood You are probably in the
Level 3: Post-Conventional morality
Abstract Notions of Justice, Rights
of others can override obedience to
laws/rules.
A
Heinz Stage 5: Social Contract and Stage 6: Universal
should not Individual Right. Principles.
steal the Some people think that rules People develop their own
drugs, and are good for human beings but
guidelines and these laws
not go to sometime they should be
disobeyed depending on the sometimes fit and
prison as sometimes do not fit with
situation and interest of the
this is individual. the law.
unfair.
Lawrence Kohlberg – Moral Development
Level 1: Pre- Stage 1: Obedience Stage 2:
Conventional and Punishment Instrumental
morality Orientation Orientation
Level 2: Stage 3: Good Boy Stage 4: Law
Conventional or Nice Girl and Order
morality Orientation Orientation
Level 3: Post – Stage 5: Social Stage 6:
Conventional Contract and Universal
morality Individual Right Principles
Right action tends to be defined in terms of
general individual rights and standards that
have been critically examined and agreed upon
by the whole society.
-LAWRENCE KOHLBERG
THE END !
