Kohlberg’s Moral development theory

• Kohlberg's Moral development theory

  Theory that our ideas of right and wrong develop through a series of levels and stages from childhood to adulthood
• Kohlberg's Moral development theory

  1. At the pre-conventional or pre-moral level, young children define right or wrong simply in terms of what brings punishment or rewards

  2. By adulthood, our ideas of right or wrong involve a deeper understanding of underlying moral principles and values
• Kohlberg studied boys aged 10-16 by asking them questions about a series of moral dilemmas, and then analysing the reasons for their answers to identify common themes</b>
• Levels of moral development

  • Preconventional Level
  • Conventional Level
  • Postconventional Level
• Preconventional Level


  • Defining right or wrong in terms of punishment and reward
• Postconventional Level


  • Deeper understanding of underlying moral principles and values
• Criminals' moral development


  Stuck at a less mature level than everyone else's
• Criminals' thought patterns


  Focused on whether actions will lead to reward or punishment, rather than how it might affect others
• Criminals' thought patterns


  Makes them more likely to offend