1. Kohlberg’s Theory of Moral Development
Human Development
Kohlberg’s Theory of Moral Development

2. Kohlberg’s Levels and Stages
Three levels:
Preconventional, Conventional and Postconventional
Six stages:
Each level has 2 stages that underscore a level of “maturity” in reasoning

3. Preconventional Moral Reasoning
Stage 1: Avoid punishment
Ex. Keith won’t take the cookie because he does not want to have time out
Stage 2:Satisfying one’s need
Ex. Jake will take the cookie, knowing he risks punishment, because he wants it so much

4. Conventional Moral Reasoning
Stage 3: Seeks to win approval of others
Ex. In order to be seen as “cool”, Janice steals the mascara from Longs Drugs at the urging of her friends
Stage 4: moral decisions based on maintaining law and order
Ex. During the protests, Austin, refuses to join in the looting because he knows it is against the law

5. Postconventional Moral Reasoning
Stage 5: obedience to law based on personal values
Pre cannabis legalization, some parents broke the law to provide the drug for their sick children
Stage 6: moral decisions are based on individual conscience alone
Ex. Seeking universal justice and human rights for all (MLK, Ghandi, Malala Yousazfai)

6. Moral Reasoning from a gender perspective
Carol Gilligan:
The way boys and girls are socialized determine their moral reasoning
Girls are taught to empathize; boys a taught to think logically. Boys my seem to reason in the case of Heinz at a higher level than girls simply because of socialization.