Kohlbergs Theory of Moral Development Preconventional Level Stage

Kohlberg’s Theory of Moral Development Preconventional Level: Stage 1 • Based on fear of punishment • Actions judged by their consequences (not by intentions)

Preconventional Level: Stage 2 • Based on fair exchange (“You scratch my back and I’ll scratch yours”) • Focused on satisfying personal needs

Conventional Level: Stage 3 • Focused on maintaining affection and approval of family and friends • Intentions (rather than consequences) are considered in judging actions

Conventional Level: Stage 4 • Based on an understanding of laws and duty • Laws need to be obeyed for the good of the social order (rigid)

Postconventional Level: Stages 5 and 6 • Based on abstract principles that are universally valid (e. g. , equality, respect for others, compassion) • May conflict with existing laws

According to Kohlberg: • Stages are invariant (i. e. , don’t skip stages) • Moral development involves discontinuous/qualitative change – Less advanced levels of moral reasoning are replaced by more advanced levels

• Moral development occurs as the result of cognitive development – Increases in perspective-taking (i. e. , less egocentrism)

Evaluation of Kohlberg’s Theory: • Stages seem to be invariant • Moral development may not be discontinuous – Individuals who are capable of reasoning at more advanced levels may also engage in reasoning at less advanced levels

• Moral development is related to cognitive development, but cognitive development is not the only factor influencing moral development

Limitations/Criticisms of Kohlberg’s Theory • Focuses too much on moral reasoning and not enough on actual behavior – Level of moral reasoning and moral behavior are correlated, but the correlation is not that strong – People often reason at a lower level about real-life moral dilemmas than hypothetical dilemmas

• Neglects the role of culture – Kohlberg’s scoring system is biased toward individual rights • Some cultures place greater value on the good of the community than on individual rights— does not mean they’re less morally advanced

• Underestimates the influence of parents on moral development – Moral development is positively correlated with inductive discipline, which includes • Use of reasoning • Focusing children’s attention on the consequences of their actions for others

• Gender and Moral Reasoning – Evidence indicates that females don’t score lower than males using Kohlberg’s system – During adolescence and adulthood, females’ moral reasoning is more focused on caring for other people than is males’ moral reasoning