Kohlberg's

Stages of
Moral
Development
 Ryan, 17, has been saving up money to buy a ticket for this concert
of rock band. His parents have discouraged • him from going as the
concert will surely be with a rowdy crowd. The band is notorious for
having out-of-control audience who somehow manages to get drunk and
stoned during the concert. Ryan agreed not to watch anymore.
But a day before the concert, Nic, 15-year-old brother of Ryan, saw a
corner of what appeared to be a concert ticket showing in the pocket of
Ryan's bag. Nic examined it and confirmed it was indeed a ticket. Looking
at Ryan's bag, Nic also found an extra shirt and 2 sticks of marijuana. So
he figured Ryan will go to the concert after all.
That night, Ryan told his parents that he was spending tomorrow
night at a classmate's house for a school requirement. Then later that
evening, he told Nic of his plan to go to the concert. Nic didn't say
anything, but he found it difficult to sleep that night, thinking whether to
tell their parents or not.
 Moral reasoning is
Preconventional
Level
based on the
consequence/result of
the act, not on the
whether the act itself
is good or bad
 Stage 1

Punishment/Obedience
One is motivated by
fear of punishment. He
will act in order to
avoid punishment.

• "Yes I will tell our parents. Because if they found out later that I knew, for sure they will get angry and most likely punish
me.
• "No, I will not tell because Ryan will make my life difficult and also punish me for telling."
 Stage 2

Mutual Benefit
One is motivated to act by
the benefit that one may
obtain later. Example, you
scratch my back, I’ll scratch
yours.

• "Yes. I will tell my parents because they will reward me for it. I will subtly ask for that new I Pod that I'm wishing to
have.“
• "No. I will not tell. Ryan will surely grant me a lot of favors for not telling. He'll not also squeal on me."
 Moral reasoning is
Conventional Level
based on the
conventions or
“norms” of society.
This may include
approval of others,
law and order
 Stage 3

Social Approval
One is motivated by what
others expect in behavior –
good boy, good girl. The
person acts because he/she
values how he/she will
appear to others.
• "Yes. I will tell so my parents will think 1 am such an honest boy.“
• "No I will not tell. Ryan will think of me as a really cool brother!"
 Moral reasoning is
Post-Conventional based on enduring or
Level consistent principles.
It is not just
recognizing the la,
but the principles
behind the law.
 Stage 4

Law and Order

One is motivated to act in
order to uphold law and
order. The person will
follow the law because it
is the law.
• "Yes I will tell because we should follow the rules that ourparents say.“
• "No, because it's been our rule to keep each others' secrets.
 Stage 5

Social Contract

Laws that are wrong can

be changed. One will act
based on social justice
and the common good.

• "Yes. I will tell because he might be hurt or get in trouble and his welfare is top most priority.“
• "No, because he is big enough to question my parents decision not to let him go."
 Stage 6

Universal Principles
This is associated with the
development of one’s conscience.
Having a set of standards that drives
one to possess moral responsibility to
make societal changes regardless of
consequences to one self.

• "Yes, I will tell because lying is always wrong and I wantto be true to what I believe in.“
• "No, because I believe brothers watch out for each other. If he trusted me with this, I should stay true to him and not say
anything.
THANK YOU!