THEORY OF MORAL

DEVELOPMENT
KOHLBERG

KOHLBERGS THEORY OF MORAL DEVELOPMENT


Kohlberg refined and extended Piagets theory
of moral development
by asking 10-13-16 years old boys to resolve a
series of moral dilemmas.
KOHLBERGS THEORY OF MORAL DEVELOPMENT
Kohlberg
Each dilemma challenged the boys requiring
them to choose between
Obeying a rule, law or authority figure
and
Taking some action that conflicts with these
rules and commands while serving a human
need.
KOHLBERGS THEORY OF MORAL DEVELOPMENT
Kohlbergs best known moral dilemma
Heinz wife was a cancer patient .
A druggist had the medicine with him, but the
cost he demanded was so high that Heinz
could not bear it.
KOHLBERGS THEORY OF MORAL DEVELOPMENT
The druggist did not reduce the price for him
Heinz broke in to the druggists shop, stole the
medicine to save his wife.
Was Heinz right or wrong?
KOHLBERGS THEORY OF MORAL DEVELOPMENT
Kohlberg theorized that moral development
occurs in three levels.
Pre - conventional level ( pre-moral level)
Conventional level
Post- conventional level ( self accepted moral
principles)
Each level has two stages. Hence there are six
stages in total.

KOHLBERGS THEORY OF MORAL DEVELOPMENT
Pre- Conventional Morality ( pre-moral level)
4 to 10 years
It is divided in to the following stages
Stage- 1
PUNISHMENT AND OBEDIENCE ORIENTATION
The moral behaviour is expressed by obeying
parents and elders to avoid punishment

KOHLBERGS THEORY OF MORAL DEVELOPMENT
Stage-2
REWARD ORIENTATION
Or
Nave hedonism
Instrumental relativist orientation
Children obey orders to satisfy their needs and
interest
KOHLBERGS THEORY OF MORAL DEVELOPMENT
Conventional level
10 to 13 years
It is divided in to the following stages
Stage-3
INTERPERSONAL CONCORDANCE
Good boy Good girl orientation
Their moral behaviour is determined by their
desire to get approval of others for good acts.
KOHLBERGS THEORY OF MORAL DEVELOPMENT
Stage 4
The law and order orientation
Moral behaviour is determined by obeying the
rules for maintaining social order.
Here what is right is what conforms to the
legitimate authority
KOHLBERGS THEORY OF MORAL DEVELOPMENT
Post -Conventional Level or autonomous level
It is divided in to the following stages
Stage 5
The social Contract orientation
Right behaviours are determined by standards
determined by the society for the majority.
It can be changed for the welfare of the society

KOHLBERGS THEORY OF MORAL DEVELOPMENT
Stage 6
Universal ethical principle orientation
It can be compared to a stage of moral musical
chair
Right is defined by the decision of conscience
and belief in universal principles of justice,
respect and equality.
KOHLBERGS THEORY OF MORAL DEVELOPMENT
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