Lawrence Kohlberg opines that child's

cognitive capabilities determine the growth of

his moral reasoning . Further; moral

development builds on concepts acquired in

various stages, such that the attainment in

each stage becomes a product of the previous

stage.

LEVEL I

• Stage 1 – Punishment-Obedience Orientation

• Stage 2 – Instrumental Relativist Orientation

LEVEL II

• Stage 3 – Good Boy – Nice Girl Orientation

• Stage 4 – Law and Order Orientation

LEVEL III

• Stage 5 – Social Contract Orientation

• Stage 6 – Universal Ethical Principle Orientation

Kohlberg’s Stages of Moral

Development

STAGE 1. OBEBIENCE AND

PUNISHMENT ORIENTATION

- the morality of act is defined by its

physical consequences.

- They see rules as fixed and absolute.

LEVEL I

PRECONVENTIONAL MORALITY

Heinz should not steal

the medicine because he

will consequently be put in

prison which will mean he is

a bad person.

STAGE 2. NAÏVE HEDONISTIC AND

INSTRUMENTAL ORIENTATION

- the child conforms to gain

rewards. the child understands

reciprocity and sharing , but this

reciprocity is manipulative and

self-serving rather than

based on a true sense of

justice, generosity,

sympathy or compassion.

Heinz should steal the

medicine because he will be

much happier if he saves his

wife, even if he will have to

serve a prison sentence.

LEVEL II

CONVENTIONAL MPORALITY: CONVENTIONAL RULES AND MORALITY

STAGE 3. GOOD BOY

MORALITY-The child's good behavior is

designed to maintain approval and

good relations with others. The child is

concerned with approval rather than

physical power.

Heinz should steal the

medicine because his wife

expects it; he wants to be a

good husband

STAGE 4. AUTHORITY AND MORALITY THAT

MAINTAIN THE SOCIAL ORDER.

- The person blindly accept social

conventions and rules they should be

maintained to avoid censure. He now

conforms not just to other individuals but to

the social order. This is the epitome of ‘law

and order’ morality, involving unquestioning

acceptance of

social regulations.

Heinz should not steal

the medicine because the

law prohibits stealing,

making it illegal.

LEVEL III

POSTCONVENTIONAL MORALITY: SELF ACCEPTED MORAL PRINCIPLES.

STAGE 5. MORALITY OF

CONTRACT

- People now have a flexibility

of moral beliefs they lacked in earlier

stage. Morality is based on

agreement among individuals to

conforms to norms that appear

necessary to maintain the social

order and the rights of others.

Heinz should steal the

medicine because

everyone has a right to

choose life, regardless of

the law.

STAGE 6. MORALITY OF INDIVIDUAL

PRINCIPLES AND CONSCIENCE.

- People conforms both to

social standards and to internalized

ideals. Their intent is to avoid self-

condemnation rather than

criticism of others. People base

their decisions on abstract

principles involving justice,

compassion and equality.

Heinz should steal the

medicine, because saving

a human life is a more

fundamental value than the

property rights of another

person.