Theory of

Moral
Development
Lawrence Kohlberg
 American psychologist
BORN: October 15, 1927, in Bronxville, New York
WIFE: Lucille Stigberg,
CHILDREN: David and Steven
Served in the Merchant Marine at the end of World War

Biography II.

EDUCATION:
• High school at Phillips Academy in Andover
Massachusetts, an elite preparatory school.
• 1948-1949: University of Chicago
⚬ Bachelor of Psychology
⚬ Doctoral degree of Psychology
• 1949-1958: Dissertation on the Moral Development
of Children

DIED: January 17, 1987

• Committed suicide by drowning himself in Boston
Harbor while on leave to seek treatment for a
tropical disease
 CAREER TIMELINE

1958-1961 1961-1962 1962-1967 1968

Yale University, Assistant professor in Assistant professor of O N WA R D S
as an assistant the Center for the Psychology Professor of
professor of Advanced Study in the Department at Education and
psychology Behavioral Sciences, University of Chicago Social Psychology at
in Palo Alto, Associate professor of Harvard University,
California psychology and where he remained
human development until his death.
 Theory of Moral
development
• extended Piaget's Theory of Moral Development

• used Piaget’s storytelling technique to tell people stories involving moral

dilemmas.
⚬ Storu of Heinz, a man from Europe with a sick wife dealing with a
chemist.
• suggests moral understanding is linked to cognitive development.

MORAL DEVELOPMENT
• process in which people develop the distinction bet. right and wrong
(morality) and engage in reasoning between the two (moral reasoning)
Theoretical Framework
3
LEVELS
&6
STAGES
of Moral
Developm
 0-9 years old
Level 1 -
Preconventio Little thought about morality

nal morality Moral code is shaped by the standards of

adults and the consequences of following and
breaking certain rules
 Stage 1. Obedience and
Level 1 - Punishment Orientation.
Preconventio Example: I will not shout so that mother will not scold me.

nal morality
Stage 2. Individualism and
Exchange
Example: Here you can have my candy, so please stop
crying already.
 10-13 years old
Level 2 - Reasoning is based on social
Conventional norms and customs
morality Begin to internalize the moral
conducts of valued adult role
models
 Stage 3. Good Interpersonal
Relationships
• "Good boy/Nice girl Orientation"
Level 2 - • conformity, being nice
• focus on living up to social expectations, pleasing
Conventional other people
morality • consider how choices influence relationships to
maintain happy interpersonal relationships

Example: I will attend the mass so that people

will think I am religious.
 Stage 4. Maintaining the Social Order.
• maintaining law and order by:
⚬ following rules
Level 2 - ⚬ doing duties
⚬ respecting authority
Conventional • GOAL: Uphold the law
Avoid guilt
morality
Example: I should not steal because it is
against the law and I don't want to be in
prison.
 Adolescence - Adulthood, although RARE

Judgment is based on self-chosen principles.

Level 3 - Moral reasoning is based on INDIVIDUAL
Postconventio RIGHTS AND JUSTICE
nal morality Acknowledges the introduction of abstract reasoning
as people attempt to explain specific behaviors.
 Stage 5. Social Contract and Individual
Rights.
Level 3 - • Acknowledges the introduction of abstract reasoning
as people attempt to explain specific behaviors.
Postconventio
nal morality more important than breaking the law against stealing.
Example: In Heinz’s dilemma, the protection of life is

• Reflecting on the morals and ethics of a current

community
 Stage 6. Universal Principles.
• People developed their own set of moral guidelines

Level 3 - which may or may not fit the law.

• Reasoning is based on UNIVERSAL ETHICAL
Postconventio PRINCIPLES and ABSTRACT REASONING
• Moral judgement is motivated by one's own
nal morality consciousness.

Example: If death penalty were to be approved in our

country, I would be against it because it is against God's
law. Not to mention, the Philippines is a Christian country.
Resources
McLeod, S. A. (2013, October 24). Kohlberg's
stages of moral development. Simply Psychology.
www.simplypsychology.org/kohlberg.html

https://www.verywellmind.com/kohlbergs-theory-
of-moral-development-2795071#toc-other-
theories-of-moral-development

https://www.slideshare.net/charlenebuno/
kohlbergs-theory-of-moral-development-
44694567