Kohlbergs Theory of Moral

Development
These are one of a variety of models of moral development that psychologists have
developed. Kohlberg focuses on how people think about issues of fairness and
justice, and his theory asserts that moral reasoning progresses linearly through
each of six stages involving different ways of thinking about moral issues.
Kohlbergs stages are a useful way to think about moral growth, but they have been
critiqued and modified by other experts.

LEVEL ONE: We make decisions based on how the consequences will

affect us personally.
STAGE 1: We obey authority figures in order to avoid punishment.
STAGE 2: We trade or cooperate with others in order to get what we want or need.
You scratch my back, and Ill scratch yours.

LEVEL TWO: We strive to meet the expectations of our peers,

families, and/or nation.
STAGE 3: We are good by doing what is approved by others. Approval can come
from individuals or the expectations of peers, groups, or society. Meaning well
counts, even if the outcome isnt what we intended.
STAGE 4: We are good by following the law and obeying authority. We do our duty
and avoid challenging the social order.

LEVEL THREE: We strive to live up to higher laws of morality and

ethics even when they conflict with the law, authority, and social
order.
STAGE 5: We look beyond laws and decisions by authority members to the rights
and principles that our society is based on (i.e., All men are created equal is a
principle we might try to live by even if it is contradicted by a particular set of laws
or customs).
STAGE 6: We strive to live according to our own consciences and universal principles
of justice and human dignity.
Potential Seminar Questions:

Which parts of Kohlbergs thinking about moral development do you agree

with? Which parts do you disagree with?

Think about Scout, Jem, or Atticus in the first seven chapters of the book.
Which of Kolhbergs stages does either of their thinking seem to reflect the
most? What about at the end of the book?
What is morality? What is good, what is bad and how do you know?
What factors influence our moral growth? What kinds of experiences
help us learn how to judge the difference between right and wrong?

Mockingbird Seminar Entrance

Ticket
1. Where do you honestly think you are on Kohlbergs moral development scale?
Identify the level, stage, and give a 5-7 sentence explanation of why youre
there and not somewhere else.

2. What factors influence our moral growth? What kinds of experiences help us
learn how to judge the difference between right and wrong? Use evidence
from To Kill A Mockingbird and other resources at your disposal. Write on
another sheet of paper .