Stages of Moral Development

• Stages of Moral Development

  • Pre-conventional
  • Conventional
  • Post-conventional
• Pre-conventional stage


  Morality is determined by the mere power of outside authority. Individuals follow rules to avoid punishment or gain rewards without considering underlying ethical principles. Moral reasoning is based on the reward-and-punishment system and focuses on self-interest.
• Conventional stage


  Individuals focus on the expectations of others in terms of what is right and wrong. Moral reasoning is primarily based on external ethics. Desire to follow rules and please authority figures.
• Post-conventional stage


  Personal ethics and human rights come into play. Decisions and judgements are determined by the person's brain and previous experiences. Individuals are able to think beyond societal norms and laws, and instead focus on universal ethical principles.
• Obstacles that affect a person's decision making

  • Parents
  • Friends
  • Schooling/education
  • Drugs
  • Influence of the media
  • Mental health
  • Cognitive capacity
• Parents can be an obstacle when making a decision or developing an informed conscience, as individuals feel they need to satisfy them and revert back to the conventional stage of moral development.
• Friends can influence what a person may perceive as right and wrong, leading to peer pressure and a skewed moral compass.
• Schooling and education can prevent individuals from thinking for themselves and overvalue the rules and boundaries presented to them, limiting their capacity to make decisions.
• Drugs can impair decision-making, leading to regrettable decisions and long-lasting consequences.
• Media can shape beliefs and values, leading individuals to form opinions and make decisions based on the information they consume, preventing them from developing a conscience by themselves.
• Mental health can impact cognitive functioning and emotional regulation, leading to poor decision-making and the use of unhealthy coping mechanisms.
• Low cognitive capacity can lead to rash and poorly planned decisions, which can be harmful to individuals.