Kohlberg's stages of moral development

Question 1

Preconventional

Answer 1

Age0-9 years
StageObedience and punishment orientation
CharacteristicsFocus is on direct consequence of action
Level
Age
StageSelf-interest orientation
CharacteristicsRight behaviour defined purely by what is in the individual’s own interest

Question 2

Conventional

Answer 2

Age9-20 years
StageInterpersonal accord and conformity
CharacteristicsFocus is on how the individual will appear to others
Level
Age
StageAuthority and social order obedience driven
CharacteristicsWhat is lawful is judged to be morally right

Question 3

Post conventional

Answer 3

Age20 and onwards
StageSocial contract orientation
CharacteristicsWhatever provides the greatest good for the greatest number of people is correct
Level
Age
StageUniversal ethical principles driven
CharacteristicsThe right action is the one that is consistent with abstract reasoning using universal ethical principles

Question 4

Kohlberg’s

Answer 4

One major criticism of Kohlberg’s theory is that it places a high value on individualism which is not a universally accepted value. For this reason it is considered biased towards western culture.

Only a very small percentage of people achieve postconventional morality.

Preconventional morality is seen in most children aged up to 9, some adolescents, and a small number of adults (particularly adult offenders).

Unfortunately age is no guarantee for moral development.

Kohlberg did not include girls in his study of moral development.
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