three levels and six

stages of moral
development
by kohlberg
 LAWRENCE KOHLBERG
Born on October 25, 1927 died on January 17, 1987)
American psychologist and educator known for his
theory of moral development.
A psychologist who portrayed on education,
anthropology, and philosophy, to inform his work on
the development of moral judgment and on moral
behavior.
Moral
is related to the sense or a standard that determines what is
right and what is wrong. It distinguishes correct from
incorrect, or appropriate from inappropriate.

MORALITY
refers to the system of beliefs and values that ensures that
individuals will keep their obligations to others in the
society and behave in ways that do not interfere within h
the rights and interests of others (Gerrig & Zimbardo,
2002).
DILemma
A dilemma is a problematic situation in which a difficult choice
must be made. Most of the time, the consequences of any of
the choices or options are perceived to be negative and
unappealing to the person involved. The kind of responses or
actions taken or made when one is in a quandary serves as a
good test of a person's level of moral development.
WHAT IS MORAL DEVELOPMENT?
Moral Development is an aspect of a person's overall
development that follows over the course of a lifetime.
Moral Development is growth and, like all growth, it
takes place according to a pre-determined sequence.
The gradual development of an individual's concept of:
right or wrong, conscience, religious values,social
attitudes and certain behavior.
Process by which children learn their moral beliefs and
develop moral reasoning for making decisions
regarding what is right or wrong
 KOHLBERG’S THEORY OF
MORAL DEVELOPMENT
This theory is a stage theory. In other words, everyone
goes through the stages sequentially without skipping
any stage.
Assessed moral reasoning by posing hypothetical
moral dilemmas and examining the reasoning behind
people's answers.
Proposed three distinct of moral reasoning: Pre-
conventional, Conventional, and Post-conventional.
3 LEVELS AND 6 STAGES MORAL DEVELOPMENT
LEVEL 1 Pre-Conventional Moral Development
Stage 1: Obedience and punishment
Stage 2: Individualism and exchange

LEVEL 2 Conventional Moral Development

Stage 3: Developing good interpersonal relationships
Stage 4:Maintaining social order

LEVEL 3 Post-Conventional Moral Development

Stage 5: Social contract and individual rights
Stage 6: Universal principles
PRE-Conventional
moral development
0 to 9YEARS OLD
Preconventional morality is the
earliest period of moral development.
It lasts until around the age of 9. At
this age, children's decisions are
primarily shaped by the expectations
of adults and the consequences of
breaking the rules.
 PRE-CONVENTIONAL MORAL DEVELOPMENT

STAGE 1 STAGE 2
(Obedience and Punishment): The (Individualism and Exchange): At the
earliest stages of moral development, individualism and exchange stage of
obedience and punishment are moral development, children account for
especially common in young children, individual points of view and judge
but adults are also capable of actions based on how they serve
expressing this type of reasoning. individual needs. In the Heinz dilemma,
According to Kohlberg, people at this children argued that the best course of
stage see rules as fixed and absolute. action was the choice that best served
Obeying the rules is important because Heinz's needs. Reciprocity is possible at
it is a way to avoid punishment. this point in moral development, but
only if it serves one's own interests.
 CONVENTIONAL MORAL
DEVELOPMENT
EARLY ADOLESCENCE TO ADULTHOOD
The next period of moral development is
marked by the acceptance of social rules
regarding what is good and moral. During
this time, adolescents and adults internalize
the moral standards they have learned from
their role models and from society.
This period also focuses on the acceptance
of authority and conforming to the norms of
the group.
 CONVENTIONAL MORAL DEVELOPMENT

STAGE 3 STAGE 4
(Developing Good Interpersonal (Maintaining Social Order): This
Relationships): Often referred to as the stage is focused on ensuring that
"good boy-good girl" orientation, this social order is maintained.
stage of the interpersonal relationship At this stage of moral development,
of moral development is focused on people begin to consider society as
living up to social expectations and a whole when making judgments.
roles. There is an emphasis on The focus is on maintaining law and
conformity, being "nice," and order by following the rules, doing
consideration of how choices influence one's duty, and respecting
relationships. authority.
POST CONVENTIONAL
MORAL DEVELOPMENT
SOME ADULTS; rare
Postconventional morality is a stage of moral
development where individuals develop their own set of
ethical principles based on universal values and
principles of justice.
During the postconventional morality stage, individuals
move beyond societal norms and rules, and their moral
judgments are guided by internalized principles that go
beyond the expectations of their culture or society. They
recognize the importance of individual rights, social
contract, and ethical principles in decision-making.
 POST-CONVENTIONAL MORAL DEVELOPMENT

STAGE 5 STAGE 6
(Social Contract and Individual Rights): (Universal Principles): Kohlberg's
The ideas of a social contract and final level of moral reasoning is
individual rights cause people in the based on universal ethical principles
next stage to begin to account for the and abstract reasoning. At this
differing values, opinions, and beliefs of stage, people follow these
other people. 6) Rules of law are internalized principles of justice,
important for maintaining a society, but even if they conflict with laws and
rules.
members of the society should agree
upon these standards.
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