Kohberg's Six Stages Of Moral Development Essay

Kohlberg’s Six Stages of Moral Development

LEVEL 1 – PRECONVENTIONAL MORALITY

This is the stage wherein people don’t have a personal code of morality. Rather, the moral code is shaped by the standards of adults and the consequences of following or breaking their rules. Mostly, nine-year-olds and younger and some over nine are suitable at this stage.

The reasoning is based on the physical consequences of actions while authority is outside the individual.

STAGE 1 – OBEDIENCE AND PUNISHMENT ORIENTATION

The idea of this stage is that a child or an individual must do well in order for him/her to avoid punishment. When a person is punished, he/she must have done something wrong.

Examples:

1. Monica is a young little girl. She was well

LEVEL 3 – POST-CONVENTIONAL MORALITY Individual judgment is based on self-chosen principles, and moral reasoning is based on individual rights and justice. According to Kohlberg this level of moral reasoning is as far as most people get.
Only 10-15% are capable of the kind of abstract thinking necessary for stage 5 or 6 (post-conventional morality). That is to say most people take their moral views from those around them and only a minority think through ethical principles for themselves.
STAGE 5 – SOCIAL CONTRACT AND INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS The child/individual becomes aware that while rules/laws might exist for the good of the greatest number, there are times when they will work against the interest of particular individuals.
The issues are not always clear-cut. For example, in Heinz’s dilemma the protection of life is more important than breaking the law against stealing.
STAGE 6 - UNIVERSAL PRINCIPLES People at this stage have developed their own set of moral guidelines, which may or may not fit the law. The principles apply to