Moral Development Theory

What is Kohlberg's theory?

• people progress in their moral reasoning through stages
• people have only one stage of moral development
• People choose their moral stage

One of your friends tells you to steal some sweets. You are in Level 1, why do you NOT steal?

• I wouldn’t like it if someone stole from me.
• It is against the law
• If everyone did it, then the shop would have to close down.
• I might get caught and get in trouble.

In Stage 4 why do you NOT steal?

• I would feel like a bad person.

• It is against the law.

• I wouldn’t like it if someone stole from me.

• I might get caught and get in trouble.

My son finishes his broccoli at dinner because I promise he can have dessert after.

• Pre-conventional

• Conventional

• Post-conventional

I let my friend copy my homework as I want her to like me. What level am I?

• Pre-conventional

• Conventional

• Post-conventional

In this stage, children are good so that they can be seen as good to other people.  

• Preconventional/Premoral
• Conventional
• Post Conventional

In this stage, individual judgment is based on individual rights and justice for the greater good.  

• Preconventional or premoral
• Conventional
• Post-Conventional

In this stage, the child is aware of wider rules of society.  At this point, a student is good because of what society says.

• Preconventional/Premoral
• Conventional
• Post-Conventional

People at this stage develop their own set of moral guidelines that may or not fit into the law. Things like human rights, justice, and equality are most important even if they have to go against society and have to face consequences.

• PreConventional/Pre-moral
• Conventional
• Post-Conventional

According to Kohlberg, most people will reach the highest stage of moral development.

• True
• False