Lawrence Kohlberg’s Development of Moral Reasoning
- Born:October 25, 1927
- Birthplace: Bronxville, New York, United States
- Died: January 19, 1987
- Location of death: Cape Cod, Massachusetts, United States
- Nationality: American
- Occupation: Psychologist, College Teacher
Level of Moral development |
Stage of Reasoning |
Approximate Age |
Preconventional “do’s and don’ts” |
Stage 1: (Punishment and Obedience Orientation). Right is obedience to power and avoidance of punishment. (“I must follow the rules otherwise I will be punished”). Stage 2: Instrumental Relativist Orientation. Right is taking responsibility and leaving others to be responsible for themselves. (“I must follow the rules for the reward and favor it gives”). |
<11 |
Conventional | Stage 3: Good-Boy-Nice Girl Orientation. Right is being considerate: “uphold the values of other adolescents and adults” rules of society”. (“I must follow the rules so I will be accepted”) Stage 4: Society-Maintaining Orientation. Right is being good, with the values and norms of family and society at large.(“I must follow rules so there is order in the society”). |
adolescence and adulthood |
Postconventional | Stage 5: Social Contract Reorientation. Right is finding inner “universal rights” balance between self-rights and societal rules – a social contract.(“I must follow rules as there are reasonable laws for it”). Stage 6: Universal Ethical Principle orientation. Right is based on a higher order of applying principles to all human-kind; being non-judgmental and respecting all human life. (“I must follow rules because my conscience tells me”). |
after 20 |