Kohlberg's Theory of Moral DevelopmentLawrence Kohlberg was a developmental theorist of the mid-twentieth century who is best known for his specific and detailed theory of children's moral development. His work continues to be influential today and contemporary research has generally supported his theory. (Colby, et.al. 1983; Rest, 1986; Walker, 1989, Walker &Taylor, 1991b).

Kohlberg developed a six stage theory of moral development, and he grouped these six stages into three, higher-order levels of development:

1) the Pre-Conventional Level,

2) the Conventional Level, and

3) the Post-Conventional or Principled Level.

Each level is then further sub-divided into two stages to make a total of six stages.

The Pre-Conventional Level includes: a) stage one, the punishment and obedience orientation, and b) stage two, the instrumental purpose orientation.

The Conventional Level includes: a) stage three, the morality of interpersonal cooperation, and b) stage four, the social-order-maintaining orientation.

The Post-Conventional Level includes a) stage five, the social-contract orientation, and b) stage six, the universal ethical principle orientation.

This article focuses on the particular stages of moral development associated with adolescent development. Therefore, the discussion begins with stage three, the morality of interpersonal cooperation, within the Conventional Level of moral reasoning.

According to Kohlberg's theory, moral development proceeds in a linear, step-wise fashion; i.e., moral development proceeds gradually from one stage to the next, in a predictable, ordered sequence. Although Kohlberg recognized each child progressed through these stages at different rates, and acknowledged that some youth may never reach the highest stages, his theory does not account for regression back to former, previously mastered stages as do some other developmental theorists.

Kohlberg believed that by early adolescence most youth have reached the mid-level of moral reasoning called the Conventional Level. At this level, morality is determined by social norms; i.e., morality is determined by the rules and social conventions that are explicitly or implicitly

agreed upon by a group of people. These rules and customs function to serve to the best interests of the group's majority, while simultaneously providing a structure that maintains social order and limits discord among group members.

CONVENTIONAL LEVEL

The Conventional Level is further subdivided into stage three and stage four.

STAGE 3:- MORALITY OF INTERPERSONAL COOPERATION.

At stage three, moral decisions are made by anticipating how a moral decision would be judged by other influential group members. Because youth at this stage wish to be considered a good person and judged in a favorable light, their moral decisions will be based on whether or not their decisions would win the approval of those people whose opinions matter to them.

For example, Anthony is hanging out with some new friends when one of his new friends offers him a cigarette. If Anthony has reached stage three, the morality of interpersonal cooperation, he might be thinking the following: "What if I try this cigarette and Grandpa finds out? He'll think of me as a smoker. He already told me that he doesn't respect smokers because they damage their health. My grandma would be disappointed in me, too. She told me that smokers are weak people who need a crutch. This thought process will likely dissuade Anthony from accepting a cigarette from his friend.

STAGE 4:- SOCIAL-ORDER MAINTAINING ORIENTATION

The next stage within the Conventional Level is stage four, and is called the social-order-maintaining orientation. At this stage, morality is determined by what is best for the majority of people. Furthermore, moral decisions reflect an understanding that the majority of people benefit from a social order that fosters harmonious relationships among group members. At this stage, youth understand that laws are intended to serve everyone's best interest, and believe that societies function best when everyone strictly adheres to the law. These youth will begin to compare their daily decisions, and the consequences of those decisions, to the larger society's moral standards.

For instance, if Anthony from the previous example had reached stage four, the social-order-maintaining orientation, and was offered a cigarette by his new friends, he may now consider that it is illegal for youth to smoke. He may choose not to smoke because he believes that if he smokes, he should be punished for breaking the law. He understands the intent of the law is for his own benefit and protection, but he also understands the law serves to benefit the larger society because when young people become addicted to nicotine it poses a cost and a health risk to others.

 

POST –CONVENTIONAL LEVEL

STAGE 5:- SOCIAL-CONTRACT ORIENTATION

At this stage, people understand rules and laws are mere tools intended to create social justice and designed to promote the well-being of all people. Thus, the ideological values of social justice and humanitarian concern are considered to be important, not the rule or law itself. At stage five, people recognize that rules and laws may require some degree of interpretation and flexibility, and these rules and laws may need to be re-evaluated from time-to-time to ensure the intended purpose is still being met.

For example, a group of college students at stage five (the social-contract-orientation of moral reasoning) may request a meeting with their college administrators to discuss a campus rule that limits condom distribution to the campus health clinic, and requires students to first meet with a nurse before receiving condoms. The intended purpose of this rule is to provide health education regarding the proper and safe use of a condom. On the surface, this rule seems sensible from a health education perspective. However, the students believe the rule has the unintended effect of deterring students from using condoms. They believe that in order to reduce the spread of diseases, and to limit unwanted pregnancies, condoms should be available at convenient locations that ensure comfort and privacy, such as dormitory restrooms. These students believe the intended principle behind the rule (to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the student body) is not being met and this principle trumps the need to document health education regarding condom use. This group of students firmly believes their college administrators have an obligation to change the rule for the greater good of the student body.

STAGE 6:- THE UNIVERSAL ETHICAL PRRINCIPLE ORIENTATION

According to Kohlberg, the sixth and final stage of moral development is the universal ethical principle orientation. At this stage, universal and abstract values such as dignity, respect, justice, and equality are the guiding force behind the development of a personally meaningful set of ethical principles. Individuals at this level of development believe these ethical principles should guide their actions above all else, including previously established rules, laws, and social contracts.