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Module 9

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5 views

Module 9

Uploaded by

Suzanne Garan
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Lawrence Kohlberg ( October 25, 1927 – January 19,

1987) was an American psychologist best known for his


theory of stages of moral development.
He served as a professor in the Psychology Department
at the University of Chicago and at the Graduate School
of Education at Harvard University. Even though it was
considered unusual in his era, he decided to study the
topic of moral judgment, extending Jean Piaget's account
of children's moral development from twenty-five years
earlier. In fact, it took Kohlberg five years before he was
able to publish an article based on his views. Kohlberg's
work reflected and extended not only Piaget's findings
but also the theories of philosophers George Herbert
Mead and James Mark Baldwin. At the same time he was
creating a new field within psychology: "moral
development".
In an empirical study using six criteria, such as citations
and recognition, Kohlberg was found to be the 30th most
eminent psychologist of the 20th century.
Three levels of moral reasoning
Level 1:PRE-CONVENTIONAL
Stage 1- Obedience and punishment orientation
(How can I avoid punishment?)
Stage 2- Self-interest orientation
(What’s in it or me?)
Level 2: CONVENTIONAL
Stage 3- Interpersonal accord and conformity
(Social norms)
(The good boy/girl attitude)
Stage 4- Authority and social-order maintaining
orientation
(Law and order morality)
Level 3: POST-CONVENTIONAL
Stage 5- Social Contract Orientation
Stage 6-Universa ethical principles(Principled conscience
Level 1: Pre-conventional level
§At the pre-conventional level (most nine-year-olds and
younger, some over nine), we don’t have a personal code of
morality. Instead, our moral code is shaped by the standards of
adults and the consequences of following or breaking their
rules.
§Authority is outside the individual and reasoning is based on
the physical consequences of actions.
Pre-conventional level
Stage 1. Obedience and Punishment
Orientation. The child/individual is
good in order to avoid being punished. If
a person is punished, they must have
done wrong.
Stage 2. Individualism and Exchange.
At this stage, children recognize that
there is not just one right view that is
handed down by the authorities.
Different individuals have different
viewpoints.
Level 2: Conventional level

§ At the conventional level (most adolescents and


adults), we begin to internalize the moral
standards of valued adult role models.
§ Authority is internalized but not questioned, and
reasoning is based on the norms of the group to
which the person belongs.
Stage 3
Good Interpersonal Relationships

The child/individual is good in


order to be seen as being a good
person by others. Therefore,
answers relate to the approval of
others.
Stage 4.
Maintaining the Social Order.
The child/individual becomes
aware of the wider rules of society,
so judgments concern obeying the
rules in order to uphold the law
and to avoid guilt.
Level 3:Postconventional or Principled level
§Individual judgment is based on self-chosen principles, and moral
reasoning is based on individual rights and justice. According to
Kohlberg this level of moral reasoning is as far as most people get.
§Only 10-15% are capable of the kind of abstract thinking necessary for
stage 5 or 6 (post-conventional morality). That is to say, most people
take their moral views from those around them and only a minority
think through ethical principles for themselves.
Stage 5
Social Contract and Individual Rights
§ The child/individual becomes aware that
while rules/laws might exist for the good of
the greatest number, there are times when
they will work against the interest of
particular individuals.
§The issues are not always clear-cut. For
example, in Heinz’s dilemma, the
protection of life is more important than
breaking the law against stealing.
Stage 6
Universal Principles
§ People at this stage have developed their
own set of moral guidelines which may or may
not fit the law. The principles apply to
everyone.
§ E.g., human rights, justice, and equality. The
person will be prepared to act to defend these
principles even if it means going against the
rest of society in the process and having to pay
the consequences of disapproval and or
imprisonment. Kohlberg doubted few people
reached this stage.

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