Kohlberg's Levels

Dilemma: A child sees another child steal a test's answer key. They know they should tell a teacher, but they're afraid the other child will bully them if they do.

• Decision: The child decides not to tell the teacher, prioritizing avoiding potential harm to themselves over upholding rules.

• Preconventional

• Conventional

• Postconventional

Dilemma: A person witnesses a minor crime. They are hesitant to get involved, but they feel a sense of duty to uphold the law and contribute to a safe community.

• Decision: The person reports the crime to the authorities, believing that it is everyone's responsibility to maintain social order and follow the established laws.

• Preconventional

• Conventional

• Postconventional

Dilemma: A child is offered a candy bar by a stranger if they agree to go for a ride in their car. The child knows they aren't supposed to talk to strangers, but the candy is very tempting.

Decision: The child goes with the stranger, enticed by the immediate reward of the candy, disregarding potential dangers or rules about strangers.

• Preconventional

• Conventional

• Postconventional

Dilemma: A doctor believes a new medication could save many lives, but it hasn't been fully approved by regulatory agencies. They are torn between following established procedures and potentially saving lives.

• Decision: The doctor administers the medication, believing their ethical responsibility to save lives outweighs strict adherence to potentially slow bureaucratic processes. They are willing to face the potential consequences.

• Preconventional

• Conventional

• Postconventional

Dilemma: A young adult is considering a career path that they are passionate about, but it's not the stable, high-paying career their parents have always envisioned for them. They deeply desire their parents' approval and worry about disappointing them.

Decision: The young adult chooses the career path their parents approve of, even though it's not what they truly want, prioritizing their parents' approval and avoiding their potential disappointment over pursuing their own passions and happiness.

• Preconvetional

• Conventional

• Postconventional

Dilemma: A person learns about an unjust law that discriminates against a minority group. They are torn between respecting the established legal system and their personal belief in equality and justice.

• Decision: The person engages in civil disobedience, protesting the unjust law, prioritizing their personal moral principles of equality and human rights over simply following the law.

• Preconventional

• Conventional

• Postconventional