Kohlberg's Moral Stages of Development

Lawrence Kohlberg

• Born in Bronxville, New York, on Oct. 25th, 1927, into a wealthy family
• An American psychologist known for theory of stages of moral development
• During childhood, he attended the Andover Academy in Massachusetts
• He became a sailor during WWII and smuggled Jews out of Palestine
• In 1948, he enrolled in the University of Chicago; he was brilliant.

Lawrence Kohlberg

• During his time at Chicago, he became interested in Jean Piaget
• Piaget was another psychologist, known for his theory of development
• Kohlberg became interested in Piaget's theory of development
• He began to research about child reasoning during moral dilemmas
• Death in January 1987 remains a mystery; was it a suicide or disease?

Level One: Pre-Conventional

• Stage 1: Obedience and Punishment
• Before nine years of age
• One makes a decision based upon rewards and punishments
• Ex: I'm cleaning my room, because if I don't, I won't get a cookie.

Level One: Pre-Conventional

• Stage 2: Self-Interest Orientation
• One makes a decision based upon what one will gain by the action
• Acting out of self-interest
• Ex: If I wash the dishes, will I get $5?

Level Two: Conventional

• Stage 3: Interpersonal Accord and Conformity
• When one fits in with social norms and acting to gain so
• One will meet social expectations and will adopt "good girl/boy" attitude
• Begins in early adolescence; around ages 10-12
• Ex: only girls will wear pink, as it against the social norms for boys

Level Two: Conventional

• Stage 4: Authority and Social-Order Maintaining Orientation
• One will follow the laws in order to avoid trouble
• Laws and social rules are upheld
• Ex: my seatbelt is always on when I drive, so I'll not get in trouble

Level Three: Post-Conventional

• Stage 5: Social Contract Orientation
• One develops understanding of social mutuality and genuine concern
• Very few people reach this level; majority of people stay in level two
• Ex: one is hurt on the road, you will stop and make sure they are okay

Level Three: Post-Conventional

• Stage 6: Universal Ethical Principles
• Universal principles of justice, equality of rights, & respect for all
• It was very hard for Kohlberg to define; was there truly a stage 6?
• Characterized by people who follow their own ethical principles
• Ex: Gandhi, MLK, Hitler

Quick Video!

Lord of the Flies: Connection

• Each individual character is in different levels and stages
• For example, it can be inferred that Piggy was in the conventional stage.
• Also, it can be stated that Jack was in the post-conventional stage.
• Throughout the entire book, moral corruption progresses in the boys.

Lord of the Flies: Connection

• Golding uses to children in different stages to show society is the same.
• If rules aren't present, morality either stays the or regresses. 
• This because there aren't rules to be followed. 
• Nor, are there people who will instill morals in another. 

Citations

• "Kohlberg's Moral Stages." Moral Stages. PLTS, n.d. Web. 31 Jan. 2015.
• Cherry, Kendra. "Moral Developement." Psychology. n.d. Web. 31 Jan. 2015.
• McLeod, Saul. "Kohlberg-Moral Development." n.d. Web. 01 Feb. 2015.
• "KOHLBERG'S STAGES OF MORAL DEVELOPMENT." KOHLBERG'S STAGES OF MORAL DEVELOPMENT. N.p., n.d. Web. 31 Jan. 2015.