Kohlberg: Theory of Moral Development

Question 1

What are the 3 levels of Kohlberg’s Theory of Moral Development?

Answer 1

Preconventional, Conventional, & Post-conventional

Question 2

What stages fall under the preconventional level of Kohlberg’s Theory of Moral Development?

Answer 2

Stage 1: Punishment & Obedient Orientation; Stage 2: Instrumental Relativist Orientation

Question 3

What stages fall under the conventional level of Kohlberg’s Theory of Moral Development?

Answer 3

Stage 3: Interpersonal Concordance Orientation; Stage 4: Law & Order Orientation

Question 4

What stages fall under the post-conventional level of Kohlberg’s Theory of Moral Development?

Answer 4

Stage 5: Social Contract Legalistic Orientation; Stage 6: Universal Ethical Principle Orientation

Question 5

What is the focus of the preconventional level?

Answer 5

Egocentric focus

Question 6

What is the focus of the conventional level?

Answer 6

Societal focus

Question 7

What is the focus of the post-conventional level?

Answer 7

Universal focus

Question 8

What stage are toddlers to 7 yrs old in?

Answer 8

Punishment & Obedient Orientation

Question 9

What stage are preschoolers thru school age children in?

Answer 9

Instrumental Relativist Orientation

Question 10

What stage are school age thru adulthood in?

Answer 10

Interpersonal Concordance Orientation

Question 11

What stage are adolescence thru adulthood in?

Answer 11

Law & Order Orientation

Question 12

What stage are middle-age or older adults in?

Answer 12

Social Contract Legalistic Orientation

Question 13

What stage are middle-age or older adults in?

Answer 13

Universal Ethical Principle Orientation (few people maintain this stage)

Question 14

Describe the preconventional level.

Answer 14

Authority is outside the individual and reasoning is based on the physical consequences of actions; Person is responsive to cultural rule of labels of the reason good and bad, right or wrong

Question 15

Describe the conventional level.

Answer 15

Authority is internalized but not questioned and reasoning is based on the norms of the group to which the person belongs; Person is concerned with maintaining expectations about & rules of the family, group, nation, or society

Question 16

Describe the post-conventional level.

Answer 16

Individual judgment is based on self-chosen principles, and moral reasoning is based on individual rights and justice; Person lives autonomously & defines moral values & principles that are from personal identification with group values

Question 17

Describe the Punishment & Obedient Orientation.

Answer 17

Decision made out of fear of punishment, not respect for authority; Good in order to avoid being punished; If a person is punished they must have done wrong

Question 18

Describe the Instrumental Relativist Orientation.

Answer 18

Conformity is based on egocentricity & narcissistic needs; Recognize that there is not just one right view that is handed down by the authorities; Different individuals have different viewpoints

Question 19

Describe the Interpersonal Concordance Orientation.

Answer 19

Decisions & behaviors based on concerns others’ approval or a reward; Empathic response, based on understanding of how another person feels, is basis for decisions & behavior; Good in order to be seen as being a good person by others; Therefore, answers are r/t the approval of others

Question 20

Describe the Law & Order Orientation.

Answer 20

Person obeys the law just b/c it is the law or out of respect for authority & underlying morality of the law; Becomes aware of the wider rules of society so judgments concern obeying rules in order to uphold the law and to avoid guilt

Question 21

Describe the Social Contract Legalistic Orientation.

Answer 21

Social rules aren’t the sole basis for decisions & behavior b/c the person believes a higher moral principle applies, such as equality, justice, or due process; Becomes aware that while rules/laws might exist for the good of the greatest #, there are times when they will work against the interest of particular individuals; The issues are not always clear cut (in Heinz’s dilemma the protection of life is more important than breaking the law against stealing)

Question 22

Describe the Universal Ethical Principle Orientation.

Answer 22

Decision & behavior are based on internalized rules, on conscience rather than on social laws, & on self-chosen ethical & abstract principles that are universal, comprehensive, & consistent; Developed their own set of moral guideline which may or may not fit the law; Principles apply to everyone; (Kohlberg doubted few people reached this stage)

Question 23

What stage is this person in? “I’ll do something b/c you tell me and to avoid getting punished?

Answer 23

Punishment & Obedient Orientation

Question 24

What stage is this person in? “I’ll do something if I get something for it or b/c it pleases you”

Answer 24

Instrumental Relativist Orientation

Question 25

What stage is this person in? “I’ll do something b/c I know how it feels to be without; I can put myself in your shoes”

Answer 25

Interpersonal Concordance Orientation

Question 26

What stage is this person in? “I’ll do something b/c it’s the law and my duty”

Answer 26

Law & Order Orientation

Question 27

What stage is this person in? “I’ll do something b/c it is morally & legally right, even if it isn’t popular with the group”

Answer 27

Social Contract Legalistic Orientation

Question 28

What stage is this person in? “I’ll do something b/c it is morally, ethically, & spiritually right, even if it is illegal & I get punished & even if no one else participates in the act”

Answer 28

Universal Ethical Principle Orientation

Question 29

What did Kohlberg base his Theory of Moral Development on?

Answer 29

A person’s thinking & behavior is consistent with level of moral judgment