Kohlberg's Stages of Moral Development

This powerpoint is about one of the theories of development a future educator should know -- the theory of Moral Development by Lawrence Kohlberg. The theory has six levels and each of which were given examples. Hope you like it! :)

1. Bicol University College Of Education Daraga, Albay Kohlberg’s Stages of Moral Development Kohlberg’s Stages of Moral Development Prepared & Reported by: Edwin E. Garduque BSEd I-R 2 nd Sem S.Y.: 2013-2014

2. “Right action tends to be defined in terms of general individual rights and standards that have been critically examined and agreed upon by the whole society.” - Lawrence Kohlberg

3. ACTIVITY Ryan, 17, has been saving up money to buy a ticket for this concert of rock band. His parents have discouraged him from going as the concert will surely be with a rowdy crowd. The band is notorious for having out-of-control audience who somehow manages to get drunk and stoned during the concert. Ryan agreed not to watch anymore. But a day before the concert, Nic, 15-year-old brother of Ryan, saw a corner of what appeared to be a concert ticket showing in the pocket of Ryan’s bag. Nic examined it and confirmed it was indeed a tic-

4. ket. Looking at Ryan’s bag, Nic also found an extra shirt and 2 sticks of marijuana. So he figured Ryan will go to the concert after all. That night, Ryan told his parents that he was spending tomorrow night at a classmate’s house for a school requirement. Then later that evening, he told Nic of his plan to go to the concert. Nic didn’t say anything, but he found it difficult to sleep that night, thinking to tell their parents or not. If you were Nic, will you tell your parents or not? Why?

5. Lawrence Kohlberg An informal, unassuming man who is a true scholar. Born in 1927 and grew up in Bronxville, New York. Attended Andover Academy in Massachusetts (high school) Became second Engineer on an old freighter carrying refugees from parts of Europe to Israel. Enrolled in University of Chicago in 1948.

6. Stayed in Chicago for graduate work in psychology. Taught in both psychology and philosophy. Taught in University of Chicago (1962-1968). Also taught at Harvard University since 1968. Became interested in Piaget and began interviewing children and adolescents on moral issues. Believe that people progress in their ability to reason morally through six stages, with three levels largely by social interactions.

7. Moral Development Moral development focuses on the emergence, change, and understanding of  morality  from infancy through adulthood. (Wikipedia) Moral development is a process through which a child develops proper attitudes or behaviours towards the other people in the society, based on various things such as social and cultural norms, laws and rules.

8. Moral development is every parent's concern because parents have the responsibility to teach a child to distinguish between what is right and wrong and then behave accordingly. Moral development refers to the gaining of values from past experience of learning, thus enabling one to think and act responsibly, courageously and compassionately towards oneself, society and the environment.

9. Lawrence Kohlberg’s Stages of Moral Development

10. Heinz Steals the Drug (Heinz Dilemma) In Europe, a woman was near death from a special kind of cancer. There was one drug that the doctors thought might save her. It was a form of radium that a druggist in the same town had recently discovered. The drug was expensive to make, but the druggist was charging ten times what the drug cost him to make. He paid $200 for the radium and charged $2,000 for a small dose of the drug. The sick woman's husband, Heinz, went to everyone he knew to borrow the money, but he could only get together about $ 1,000 which is half

11. of what it cost. He told the druggist that his wife was dying and asked him to sell it cheaper or let him pay later. But the druggist said: "No, I discovered the drug and I'm going to make money from it." So Heinz got desperate and broke into the man's store to steal the drug - for his wife. Should the husband have done that? (Kohlberg, 1963, p. 19)

12. Lawrence Kohlberg’s Stages of Moral Development Pre-conventional Level Moral reasoning is based on the consequences or result of the act, not on whether the act itself is good or bad. Stage 1 (Punishment & Obedience Orientation) Stage 2 (Mutual Benefit or Individualism & Exchange)

13. Pre-conventional Level Stage 1 (Punishment & Obedience Orientation) One is motivated by the fear of punishment. See rules as fixed and absolute. Obeying rules is important because it is a means to avoid punishment. “Yes I will tell our parents. Because if they found out later that I know, for sure they will get angry & most likely punish me.”  “No, I will not tell because Ryan will make my life miserable & also punish me for telling.”

14. Pre-conventional Level Stage 2 (Mutual Benefit or Individualism & Exchange) One is motivated to act by the benefit that one may obtain later. People account for individual points of view and judge actions based on how they serve individual needs.   “Yes. I will tell our parents because they will reward me for it. I will subtly ask for that new IPod that I’m wishing to have.” “No. I will not tell. Ryan will surely grant me a lot of favors for not telling. He’ll not also squeal on me.”

15. Lawrence Kohlberg’s Stages of Moral Development Conventional Level Moral reasoning is based on the conventions or “norms” of society. This may include approval of others, law and order. Stage 3 (Social Approval or Good Interpersonal Relationship) Stage 4 (Law & Order or Maintaining Social Order)

16. Stage 3 (Social Approval or Good Interpersonal Relationship) One is motivated of what others expect in behavior – good boy, good girl. The person acts because he or she values how he or she will appear to others. There is an emphasis on conformity, being “nice”, & consideration of how choices influence relationship.   “Yes. I will tell so my parents will think I am such an honest boy.” “No. I will not tell. Ryan will think of me as a really cool brother!”   Conventional Level

17. Conventional Level Stage 4 (Law & Order or Maintaining Social Order) One is motivated to act in order to uphold law and order. People consider society as a whole when making judgments. Focuses on maintaining law and order by following rules, doing one’s duty & respecting authority.   “Yes I will tell because we should follow the rules that our parents say.” “No, because it’s been our rule to keep each other’s secrets.”

18. Lawrence Kohlberg’s Stages of Moral Development Post-conventional Level Moral reasoning is based on enduring or consistent principles. It is not just recognizing the law, but the principles behind the law. Stage 5 (Social Contract & Individual Rights) Stage 6 (Universal Principles)

19. Post-conventional Level Stage 5 (Social Contract & Individual Rights) Laws that are wrong can be changed. One will act based on social justice and the common good. People begin to account for the differing values, opinions and disbeliefs of other people. Rules of law are important for maintaining a society, but members of the society should agree upon these standards.   “Yes I will tell because he might be hurt or get in trouble & his welfare is the top most priority.”  “No. He is big enough to question my parents’ decision not to let him go.”

20. Post-conventional Level Stage 6 (Universal Principles) This is associated with the development of one’s conscience. Having a set of standards that drives one to possess moral responsibility to make societal changes regardless of consequences to oneself. Based upon universal ethical principles & abstract reasoning. People follow these internalized principles of justice, even if they conflict with laws and rules.  

21. “Yes. I will tell because lying is always wrong & I want to be true to what I believe in.” “No. I believe brothers watch out for each other. If he trusted me with this, I should stay true to him & not say anything.”

22. Summary At Stage 1(Punishment & Obedience Orientation) , children/people think of what is right as that which authority says is right. Doing the right thing is obeying authority and avoiding punishment. At Stage 2 (Mutual Benefit or Individualism & Exchange), children/people are no longer so impressed by any single authority; they see that there are different sides to any issue. Since everything is relative, one is free to pursue one's own interests, although it is often useful to make deals and exchange favors with others.

23. Summary At Conventional Level , young people think as members of the conventional society with its values, norms, and expectations. At Stage 3 (Social Approval or Good Interpersonal Relationship) , they emphasize being a good person, which basically means having helpful motives toward people close to one. At Stage 4 (Law & Order or Maintaining Social Order) , the concern shifts toward obeying laws to maintain society as a whole.

24. Summary At Post-conventional Level, people are less concerned with maintaining society for its own sake, and more concerned with the principles and values that make for a good society. At Stage 5 (Social Contract & Individual Rights) , they emphasize basic rights and the democratic processes that give everyone a say. At Stage 6 (Universal Principles) , they define the principles by which agreement will be most just.

25. That’s all! Thank You For Listening! God Bless! Hope You Learn Something… 