1. Kohlberg’s Theory of Moral Development

2. 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
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3. 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 BACK

4. 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
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5. 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

6. 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
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7. 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
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8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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
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