LESSON 8[KOHLBERG’S STAGES OF MORAL DEVELOPMENT]
Kohlberg's stages of moral development is a theory which holds that moral reasoning, the
basis for ethical behavior, has six
identifiable developmental stages, each more adequate at responding to moral dilemmas
than its predecessor.
Kohlberg determined that the process of moral development was principally concerned
with justice, and that it continued throughout the individual's lifetime.
The six stages of moral development are grouped into three levels of morality: pre-
conventional, conventional, and post-conventional.
▸ Kohlberg's scale is about how people justify behaviors and his stages are not a method
of ranking how moral someone's behavior is. The general hypothesis is that moral behavior
is more responsible, consent and predictable fan people higher levels.
The Pre-Conventional Level
➤ This is especially common in children, although adults can also exhibit this level of
reasoning.
➤ Individuals at this level judge the morality of an action by its direct consequences.
This consists of the first and second stages of moral development
and is solely concerned with the self in an egocentric manner.
Stage 1: Reward and Punishment
In this stage, individuals focus on the direct consequences of their actions on themselves.
> An action is perceived as morally wrong because the agent is punished.
> The worse the punishment for the act is,
the more "bad" the act is perceived to be.
Stage 2: Mutual Benefit
➤ This stage expresses the "what's in it for me" position, in which, right behavior is
defined by whatever the individual believes to be in their best interest but understood in
a narrow way which does not consider one's reputation or relationships to groups of
people.
> The mentality here is: "You scratch my back, and I'll scratch yours".
The Conventional Level
This is typical of adolescents and adults.
➤ To reason in a conventional way is to judge the morality of actions by comparing them to
society's views and expectations.
It is characterized by an acceptance of society's conventions concerning right and wrong.
> At this level, an individual obeys rules and follows society's norms even when there are
no consequences for obedience or disobedience. ➤ Adherence to rules and conventions
is somewhat rigid, however, and a rule's appropriateness or fairness is seldom questioned.
Stage 3: "Good Boy / Good Girl"
In this stage, the self enters society by conforming to social standards.
➤ Individuals are open to approval or disapproval from others.
> They try to be a "good boy" or a "good girl" to live up to these expectations.
> Furthermore, the individuals act depending on "what others would say" and she is
vulnerable to peer pressure
Stage 4: Law and Order
> In this stage, it is important to obey laws and social conventions because of their
importance in maintaining a functioning society.
▸ Challenging or questioning the status quo is frowned upon as it is seen as a threat to the
established order.
> If one person violates a law, there is an obligation and a duty to uphold laws and rules.
> When someone does violate a law, it is morally wrong.
Yet there are a few who dare "rock the boat" willing to take the risk of censure,
rejection and other forms of opposition. Whether visionaries or naive idealists, those
people - some of them-provide the stimulus for change.
The Post-Conventional Level
-This level, also known as the principled level, is marked by a growing realization that
individuals are separate entities from society, and that the individual's own perspective
may take precedence over society's view; individuals may disobey rules inconsistent
with their own principles.
-Post-conventional moralists live by their own ethical principles-principles that typically
include such basic human rights as life, liberty, and justice.
-People who exhibit post-conventional morality view rules as useful but changeable
mechanisms-ideally rules can maintain the general social order and protect human rights.
-Rules are not absolute dictates that must be obeyed with question.
Stage 5: Social Contract Driven
-In this stage, the world is viewed as holding different opinions, rights, and values. Such
perspectives should be mutually respected as unique to each person or community.
> Laws are regarded as social contracts rather than rigid edicts. They are based on the
principle of utility, and they are not accepted blindly.
-Those that do not promote the general welfare should be changed when necessary to
meet "the greatest good for the greatest number of people". This is achieved through
majority decision and inevitable compromise.
> Individuals behave according to social contract for the greatest number of people likely
to be affected
Stage 6: Universal Ethical Principle Driven
In this stage, moral reasoning is based on abstract reasoning using universal ethical
principles.
> Laws are valid only insofar as they are grounded in justice, and a commitment to justice
carries with it an obligation to disobey unjust laws.
> Decisions are not reached hypothetically but rather categorically. > Profound respect for
sanctity of human life, nonviolence, equality, and human dignity will be displayed.
-The individual acts because it is right and for any other reason.
