Kohlberg’s Theory of Moral Development

Kohlberg’s Seven Stages Click on the links to learn about each stage Pre-Conventional Moral Development Stage 0 Stage 1 Stage 2 Conventional Moral Development Stage 3 Stage 4 Post-Conventional Moral Development Stage 5 Stage 6 Stage 7 BACK

Stage 0 At this stage, the individual: Avoids pain and seeks pleasure Has no sense of obligation to anyone else Is self-absorbed (unaware or anyone’s needs other than those that are self-serving) Does what he/she wants to do Is amoral Is totally egocentric in assuming that the world revolves around his/her needs and desires Has thus no sense of cause-effect Is typically between the ages of 0-7 BACK

Stage 1 At this stage, the individual: Obeys rules in order to avoid punishment Determines a sense of right and wrong by what is punished and what is not punished Obeys superior authority and allows that authority to make the rules, especially if that authority has the power to inflict pain Is responsive to rules that will affect his/her physical well-being Is usually over the age of 7 BACK

Stage 2 At this stage, the individual: Is motivated by vengeance or “an eye for an eye” philosophy Is self-absorbed while assuming that he/she is generous Believes in equal sharing in that everyone gets the same, regardless of need Believes that the end justifies the means Will do a favor only to get a favor Expects to be rewarded for every non-selfish deed he/she does Is usually over the age of 10 BACK

Stage 3 At this stage, the individual: Finds peer approval very important Makes moral decisions on the basis of what will please a limited group and make the person feel included Thus models behavior on that of the “majority” which is the behavior of the “in crowd” or peer group Feels that intensions are as important as deeds and expects others to accept intentions or promises in place of deeds Begins to put himself/herself in another’s shoes and think from another perspective May continue to be in this stage until him/her has reached the 20s in age BACK

Stage 4 At this stage, the individual: Continues past actions and behaviors in tradition since the maintenance of law and order is supremely important Is a duty doer who believes in rigid rules that should not be changed Respects authority and obeys it without question Supports the rights of the majority or majority rule without concern for those in the minority Is part of about 80% of the population that does not progress past stage 4 BACK

Stage 5 At this stage, the individual: Is motivated by the belief in the greatest amount of good for the greatest number of people Believes in contracts in which both parties compromise and yet both receive benefits Believes in consensus (everyone agrees), rather than in majority rule Respects the rights of the minority especially the rights of the individual Believes that change in the law is possible but only through the system Has reached the same stage as the official morality of the nation BACK

Stage 6 At this stage, the individual: Loses the ability to compromise high principles and thus may forfeit his/her life in order to uphold them Believes that there are high moral principles than those represented by social rules and customs Obeys these self-chosen high moral principles Is willing to accept the consequences for disobedience of the social rule he/she has rejected Uses only passive resistance and has no use for violence in any form Believes in granting justice and dignity to all human beings as inalienable human rights Respects justice for its moral nature and its legal nature Believes that the dignity of humanity is sacred and that all humans have value BACK

Stage 7 At this stage, the individual: Is a “seeker of justice in an unjust world” Has a cosmic perspective of life Neglects any consideration for self Focuses not on the individual but on the whole, a view of self as part of the infinite whole and not as an individual part that is significant Thus is plagued with despair and sees a world of woe that he/she is inadequate to repair Possesses an altruism that is difficult for the world to comprehend and consequently his/her forgiveness and compassion often runs afoul of the world’s sense of justice I.e. moral level BACK

Progress Activity Pick a TV show (and five of its characters) Complete this chart after thinking about the seven stages. Due tomorrow for academic points. Character Stage (0-7) Rationale BACK