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Kohlberg's Theory

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18 views

Kohlberg's Theory

Uploaded by

aldrinsaumay13
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Kohlberg’s Theory of Moral Development

This document summarizes Lawrence Kohlberg’s theory of moral development. It


outlines the six stages of moral reasoning, providing examples and explanations for
each stage.

Introduction

- Author: Charlene Mae B. Buno


- Document: Kohlberg’s Theory of Moral Development
- Publication: Not specified

Background and Motivation

- This document aims to explain Kohlberg’s theory of moral development, building


upon the work of Jean Piaget.
- Kohlberg believed that moral development is a continuous process throughout life,
not just a developmental stage in childhood.
- He used Piaget’s storytelling technique to present moral dilemmas to participants
and analyze their reasoning.

Contributions

- Kohlberg extended Piaget’s theory by proposing a more comprehensive model of


moral development with six stages.
- He developed a system for classifying moral reasoning based on the justifications
individuals provide for their moral judgments.

Methodology

- Kohlberg used a series of moral dilemmas to assess the moral reasoning of


participants.
- He interviewed participants to understand their reasoning behind their judgments.
- The most famous example is the “Heinz Dilemma,” which involves a man stealing a
drug to save his dying wife.

Stages of Moral Development

Kohlberg’s theory is divided into three levels, each with two stages:

1. Preconventional Morality (Age 4-10)

- Stage 1: Obedience and Punishment: This stage is characterized by a focus on


avoiding punishment and obeying rules without questioning them. Morality is seen as
external and based on authority figures.
- Example: “I will keep quiet so that the teacher won’t get mad at me.”
- Stage 2: Individualism and Exchange: Individuals recognize that there are different
perspectives and that rules are not absolute. They focus on self-interest and
reciprocity.
- Example: “I will let you copy mine if you do my homework.”

2. Conventional Morality (Age 10-13)

- Stage 3: Interpersonal Relationships: Individuals strive to maintain social harmony


and please others. They value conformity and being “nice.”
- Example: “I will buy that dress so that my friends will like me.”
- Stage 4: Maintaining Social Order: Individuals focus on upholding social order and
following rules to maintain stability. They understand the importance of laws and
authority.
- Example: “You should not cut class because it’s against school rules.”

3. Post-Conventional Morality (Adolescence – Adulthood)


- Stage 5: Social Contract and Individual Rights: Individuals recognize that laws are
important but can be changed if they conflict with individual rights or universal
principles.
- Example: “It is her own decision, we should just respect that.”
- Stage 6: Universal Principles: Individuals have developed their own moral
principles based on universal ethical principles and abstract reasoning. They act
according to their conscience.
- Example: “If abortion became legal in our country, I will be one of the people who
will be against it because it’s against God’s Law.”

Conclusion

Kohlberg’s theory provides a framework for understanding the development of moral


reasoning. It highlights the progression from simple obedience to more complex and
principled ethical thinking. However, it’s important to note that not everyone reaches
the highest stages of moral development, and individuals may reason at different
stages depending on the situation.

Additional Information

- Kohlberg’s theory has been influential in education and psychology.


- It has been used to develop programs to promote moral development in children
and adults.
- The theory has also been criticized for its focus on Western individualism and its
lack of attention to cultural differences in moral reasoning.

This summary provides a basic overview of Kohlberg’s theory. For a more in-depth
understanding, further research is recommended.

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