MORAL

DEVELOPMENT
Lawrence Kohlberg's LAWRENCE KOHLBERG’S

ROY G. PASCASIO
TCP UNIT EARNER-SECTION A
Lawrence Kohlberg's
1927 Professor of
Education and Social
New York Psychology
January 17, He made books:
1987 - Moral Development &
Reasoning
MORAL DEVELOPMENT
Kohlberg’s theory of moral development is a theory
that focuses on how children develop morality and
moral reasoning. Kohlberg’s theory suggests that
moral development occurs in a series of six stages.
The theory are suggests that moral logic is
primarily focused on seeking and maintaining
justice.
STAGES OF MORAL DEVELOPMENT
Kohlberg’s theory is broken down into three primary
levels. At each level of moral development, there are
two stages. Similar to how Piaget believed that not all
people reach the highest levels of cognitive
development, Kohlberg believed not everyone
progresses to the highest stages of moral development.
STAGES OF MORAL DEVELOPMENT
Level1. Preconventional Morality
is the first stage of moral development and
Level 1 – Preconventional Morality

lasts until approximately age 9.

At the preconventional level, children don’t have a
personal code of morality. Instead , moral
decisions are shaped by the standards of adults
and the consequences of following or breaking
their rules.
Level 2. Conventional Morality
is the second stage of moral development, and is
characterized by an acceptance of social rules
concerning right and wrong.

At the conventional level (most adolescents and

adults) , we begin to internalize the moral
standards of valued adult role models.
Level 3. Post Conventional Morality

is the third stage of moral development and is

characterized by an individual’s understanding
of universal ethical principles.
STAGES OF MORAL DEVELOPMENT

Level1. Preconventional Morality

Stage 1. Obedience and The child/individual is good to
Punishment avoid being punished if a person is
punished, they must be have done
wrong
At this stage, children recognize
Stage 2. Individualism that there is not just on right to
and Exchange view that is handed down by the
authorities. Different individuals
have different viewpoints.
STAGES OF MORAL DEVELOPMENT
Level2. Conventional Morality
Stage 3. Good Interpersonal The child/individual is good in order to be
Relationships seen as being a good person by others.
Therefore, answers relate to the approval
of others.

Stage 4. Maintaining and The child/individual becomes aware of the

Social Order wider rules of society, so judgments
concern obeying the rules to uphold the
law and avoid guilt.
STAGES OF MORAL DEVELOPMENT
Level3. Post Conventional Morality
The child/individual becomes aware that
Stage 5. Social Contract while rules/laws might exist for the good of
and Individual Rights the greatest number, there are times when
they will work against the interest of
particular individuals.

People at this stage have developed their

Stage 6. Universal own set of moral guidelines, which may or
Principles may not fit the law. The principles apply to
everyone.
Kohlberg’s believed the only a relatively
small percentage of people ever reach the
post conventional stages ( around 10 to 15 % ).
One analysis found that while stages one to
four could be seen as universal in
populations throughout the world, the fifth
and sixth stages were extremely rare in all
populations.
THANK YOU AND
GOD BLESS !