Kohlberg's stages of moral development

Question 1

LEVEL 1 - PRE-CONVENTIONAL MORALITY

Answer 1

At the pre-conventional level, we don’t have a personal code of morality. Instead, our moral code is shaped by the standards of adults and the consequences of following or breaking their rules.

Question 2

MORAL THEORY
LEVEL 1: STAGE 1

Answer 2

 When a person making a stage one decision is asked “why?” He/She would reply, “because if I don’t make that decision I will be punished.”
* Obedience and Punishment Orientation

 Pre –societal awareness

 Immediate self interest

Question 3

MORAL THEORY
LEVEL 1: STAGE 2

Answer 3

• When a person making a stage two decision is asked “why?” He/She would reply,
  “because if I make that decision I will be rewarded and other people will help me.”
  The philosophy being “you scratch my back and I’ll scratch yours.”
• Stage 2. Individualism and Exchange.
  At this stage there is a recognition that there is not just
  one right view that is handed down by the authorities. Different individuals have different viewpoints.
• Pre –societal awareness
• Longer term self interest
• Stages 1-2 not able to see social units bigger than self.

Question 4

LEVEL 2 - CONVENTIONAL MORALITY

Answer 4

At the conventional level, people internalize the moral standards of valued adult role models.

• Authority is internalized but not questioned and reasoning is based on the norms of the group to which the person belongs.
• Level 2 consists of Stages 3 and 4

Question 5

MORAL THEORY
LEVEL 2: STAGE 3

Answer 5

At stage three the decision maker replies, “others whom I care about will be pleased if I do this because they have taught me that this is what a good person does”.

Stage 3 at its best understands ideal role relationships and its committed to maintain and perhaps even enhance them.

• Good Interpersonal Relationships. The individual is good to be seen as being a good
  person by others.

Question 6

MORAL THEORY
LEVEL 2: STAGE 4

Answer 6

• A stage four decision maker offers explanation that demonstrates awareness of his/her role in society and how decisions may further, or impede, the social order.
• Stage 4 at its best understands ideal social system and its committed to maintain and
  perhaps even enhance these systems.
• Stage 4. Maintaining the Social Order. The 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.

Question 7

LEVEL 3 - POST-CONVENTIONAL MORALITY

Answer 7

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

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.

• Kohlberg believes only a minority of people 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.
• Level 3 consists of Stages 5 and 6

Question 8

MORAL THEORY
LEVEL 3: STAGE 5

Answer 8

• A stage five decision maker justifies decisions by explaining that acts will contribute to
  social well-being and that each member of society has an obligation to every other member.
• Trans societal awareness.
• A part of something deeper or wider than our own experiences and priorities.
• Global perspectives emerge here.
• Social Contract and Individual Rights. The 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

Question 9

MORAL THEORY
LEVEL 3: STAGE 6

Answer 9

Stage six decisions are justified by appeals to personal conscience and universal
ethical principles.

• Trans-societal awareness
• 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 everyone.
• E.g. human rights? Environmental justice?. The person will be prepared to act to
  defend these principles even if it means going against the rest of society in the process and having to pay the consequences of disapproval and imprisonment. Kohlberg hypothesized few people reached this stage.

Question 10

MORAL THEORY

Answer 10

• Kohlberg’s work does not attempt to get at the “right” decision rather it outlines the kind of thinking that has brought people to their
  decisions.