Kohlberg’s Stages of Moral Development

Who is Lawrence Kohlberg?

Jewish-American PsychologistLived in the Bronx’s in the 1950’s and 60’sInfluences by Civil Rights Movement and

the work of Jean Piaget, who studied children’s reactions to moral conflicts.

Created a 6 stage model mapping human moraldevelopment.

Stages of Moral Development

Kohlberg’s theory states that our ethical behavior stems from out ability to reason.

This scale illustrates how as humans we justify our behavior.

6 Stages of Moral Development1. Obedience Stage2. Self-Interest Stage3. Social Acceptance Stage4. Law Stage5. Greater Good Stage6. Universal Ethical Principles Stage

Heinz Dilemma

A woman was near death from a special kind of cancer. There was one drug that the doctor’s thought might save her. It was a form of radium that a druggist in the same town had recently discovered. The drug was expensive to make, but

the druggist was charging ten times what the drug cost him to produce. He paid $200 for the radium and charged $2,000 for a small dose of the drug. The sick woman's husband, Heinz, went to everyone he knew to borrow the money, but

he could only get together about $1,000 which is half of what it cost. He told the druggist that his wife was dying and asked him to sell it cheaper or let him pay later. But the druggist said: "No, I discovered the drug and I'm going to make

money from it." So Heinz got desperate and broke into the man's store to steal the drug for his wife.

Heinz Dillemma Continued…

Take 5 miunites to dicuss the following questions in small groups (3-4 people)….

1. Should Heinz have broken into the store to steal the drug for his wife?

2. Which systems of law are being used here? (Natural? Divine? Human?)

3. What is the moral and just solution to Heinz’s problem?

Stage 1: Obedience Stage

Usually in Childhood Moral Decisions are

based on possible punish

For example, "the last time I did that I got spanked, so I will not do it again“ Or “I am not going to shoplift because I might get caught”

Major question of Stage 1: “Will I be punished?”

“I don’t justify the dog, I take orders and so will you sir.” - McKinley (Sparks)

Stage 2: Self-Interest Stage

Usually in childhoodMoral decisions are

decided on the benefits you get from the action.

For example, “I’ll be nice to my Mom so that I can get the toy I want”

Or “I act like I care about a girl so that I can make out with her”

Major question of Stage 2: “What’s in it for me?”

Major question of Stage 2: “What’s in it for me?”

“Yes brave captain, you were right” – Edith Middleton

Stage 3: Social Acceptance Stage

Usually in adolescence Peer Pressure Stage Moral decisions are determined by

evaluating the action In terms of love and approval of family and friends.

Morality of actions are considered based on their effects on personal relationships

People begin to follow good morals so that they are a “good” boy or a “good” girl

For example, “I want to be liked; not being a jerk makes people like me”

Major question of Stage 3: “How do I get the acceptance of other people?”

Stage 4: Law Stage

Stage 4—Law StageUsually in adolescence

or adulthoodMoral decisions are

based on the rules of law and/or religion

For example, “I am not going to do drugs because it is against the law”

Major question of Stage 4: “Is this legal?”

Starting Here…

Individuals Now Make Moral Decisions Based On Their Own Perspective and Beliefs, Instead of On Other Factors

Stage 5: Greater Good Stage

Stage 5—Greater Good Stage Usually in adulthood Moral decisions are based on

fairness, justice, and truth. Oftentimes, a higher moral law as

determined by conscience will be more important than regular laws.

For example: “I am going to vote against the death penalty because sometimes innocent people are killed”

Major question of Stage 5: “Is there a greater good that can come from the action I do?”

Stage 6: Universal Ethical Principles Stage

Usually in adulthood Moral decisions are based on

absolute ethical principles, such as The Golden Rule (do to others as you would want people to do to you”

People in Stage 6 are willing to disobey unfair laws

For example: “I am going to go to prison instead of being forced to go to Vietnam, because I believe killing is always wrong”

Major question of Stage 6: “Is this the truly right thing to do?”

What Stage is Holmes at?