Kohlberg's Stages of Moral Development

Lawrence Kohlberg extended his studies off of Jean Piaget’s studies. Kohlberg found that there are the levels of moral development with 6 sublevels. 

Level I: Pre-conventional Morality (Early Middle Childhood)

At this level, a child learns what is right and wrong, good or bad based off of the consequences that are received, whether it is a reward or punishment.

Stage 1: The punishment and obedience orientation

Right and wrong is what is rewarded or punished. Actions are based on apparent, physical outcomes rather than on the intention behind the act.

Stage 2: The instrumental relativist orientation

This is an all about me stage. This is where “I will help you, if you help me” comes into play with what is right or wrong. It is the satisfaction of personal needs.

Level II: Conventional Morality (Late Middle Childhood)

The child sustains the expectations of those around them as respected in its own right, regardless of immediate and obvious consequences. Right behavior is that which is accepted, approved and praised by others who are seen as being in positions of authority.

Stage 3: The interpersonal concordance or “good boy- nice girl” orientation

Behavior is often judged with the intention behind it. Good behavior is what pleases or helps others and is accepted by them. 

Stage 4: The “law and order” orientation

Right behavior is doing one’s duty, showing respect for authority, and following the rules because they are “right”.

Level III: Post-Conventional, Autonomous, or Principled Level

At this level, the individual makes choices on the basis of principles that they have thought through, accepted and internalized.

Stage 5: The social- contract, legalistic orientation

Right is a matter of personal values which have been inspected and established by society. Laws are not outright but subject to modification.

Stage 6: The universal, ethical principle orientation

Right is defined by individual integrity in harmony with self-chosen, ethical codes of justice, mutuality, quality of human rights, and admiration for the pride of the human being as a distinct person.

Remember levels are not absolute and a person may perform within several different levels subject upon the conditions.




http://info.psu.edu.sa/psu/maths/Stages%20of%20Moral%20Development%20According%20to%20Kohlberg.pdf