Kohlberg's

• Lawrence Kohlberg


  American psychologist and educator known for his theory of moral development
• Lawrence Kohlberg born

  October 25, 1927
• Lawrence Kohlberg died

  January 17, 1987
• Kohlberg decided to study the topic of moral judgment, extending Jean Piaget's account of children's moral development from 25 years earlier
• Preconventional Morality


  The first stage of moral development where children don't have a personal code of morality, and moral decisions are shaped by the standards of adults and the consequences of following or breaking their rules
• Stage 1. Obedience and Punishment Orientation


  1. The child/individual is good in order to avoid being punished

  2. If a person is punished, they must have done wrong
• Stage 2. Individualism and Exchange


  1. Children recognize that there is not just one right view that is handed down by the authorities

  2. Different individuals have different viewpoints
• Conventional Morality


  The second stage of moral development, characterized by an acceptance of social rules concerning right and wrong
• Stage 3. Good Interpersonal Relationships


  The child/individual is good in order to be seen as being a good person by others
• Stage 4. Maintaining the Social Order


  The child/individual becomes aware of the wider rules of society, so judgments concern obeying the rules in order to uphold the law and to avoid guilt
• Postconventional Morality


  The third level of moral development, characterized by an individual's understanding of universal ethical principles
• 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
• Stage 6. Universal Principles


  1. People at this stage have developed their own set of moral guidelines which may or may not fit the law

  2. The principles apply to everyone
• Postconventional morality is when people decide based on what they think is right rather than just following the rules of society
• According to Kohlberg, the level of postconventional morality is as far as most people get
• Heinz's Dilemma


  Heinz's wife was dying from cancer, and the drug that could save her was being sold by a chemist for much more than Heinz could afford, so Heinz broke into the chemist's and stole the drug