Levels and Stages of Moral Development Lawrence Kohlberg’s Levels and Stages of Moral Development
LEVEL I: Pre-conventional Morality Moral values reside in a person’s own needs and wants Stage 1: Obedience & Punishment Individual’s moral judgment is motivated by a need to avoid punishment
Stage 2: Instrumental-Relativist Individual’s moral judgment is motivated by a need to satisfy his/her own desires
LEVEL II: Conventional Morality Moral values reside in performing good or right roles, in maintaining the conventional order, and in pleasing others Stage 3: “Good boy/Nice girl” Orientation
Individual’s moral judgment is motivated by a need to avoid rejection, disaffection, or disapproval from others
Stage 4: Law and Order Orientation Individual’s moral judgment is motivated by a need to not be criticized by a true authority figure
LEVEL III: Post-conventional Morality Moral values reside in principles Stage 5: Legalistic Orientation Motivated by community respect for all, respecting social order, & living under legally determined laws
Stage 6: Universal, Ethical Orientation By one’s own conscience Most people never reach this level