Kohlberg’s Theory of Moral Development
How do children learn to distinguish between right and wrong? Ever thought about why some individuals uphold ethical values while others struggle to make ethical decisions? Psychologist Lawrence Kohlberg pondered these questions and formulated a theory of moral development. This theory delves into the process through which individuals, particularly children, cultivate their sense of morality and ethical reasoning. It posits that moral development unfolds across six distinct stages, with a predominant emphasis on the pursuit and preservation of justice.
The initial stages of this development are centered around compliance with authority figures, whereas the later stages focus more on interpersonal relationships and societal structures. As individuals progress to the final stages, their moral decision-making is influenced by social compacts, individual rights, and universal ethical principles.
What Is Moral Development, Exactly?
Moral development refers to the process of individuals forming a distinction between right and wrong (morality) and engaging in reasoning about these concepts (moral reasoning).
The question of how individuals develop their morality has intrigued various groups, including parents, religious leaders, and philosophers, and has also gained significant attention in the fields of psychology and education. Do parental or societal influences have a more substantial impact on moral development, and do all children develop morality in similar ways?
American psychologist Lawrence Kohlberg is known for developing a prominent theory that delves into these fundamental questions. Building upon Jean Piaget’s earlier work, Kohlberg’s theory focuses on explaining how children progress in their moral reasoning.
Kohlberg’s theory expands on Piaget’s ideas by suggesting that moral development is an ongoing process that occurs throughout an individual’s life. The theory outlines six stages of moral development organized into three distinct levels.
Criticism of Kohlberg’s Theory
Recently, Kohlberg’s theory has faced criticism for being Western-centric and biased toward men. Some argue that the research subjects used were predominantly male, leading to a narrow worldview based on upper-middle-class values and perspectives.
How Kohlberg Formulated His Theory
Kohlberg developed his theory by presenting a series of moral dilemmas to his research subjects. These participants were then interviewed to understand the rationale behind their judgments in each scenario.
For instance, one scenario involved “Heinz Stealing the Drug.” In this situation, a woman with cancer needed a drug that cost $2,000 per dose, but her husband, Heinz, could only afford $1,000. Despite trying to negotiate a lower price or payment plan with the pharmacist who made the drug, Heinz resorted to stealing it to save his wife.
Kohlberg’s main focus was not on determining whether Heinz’s actions were right or wrong, but rather on analyzing the reasoning behind each participant’s decisions. He then categorized their justifications into the stages of his moral development theory.
Stages of Ethical Growth
The theory of Kohlberg is divided into three main levels, each consisting of two stages of moral development. Just like Piaget’s idea that not all individuals achieve the utmost levels of cognitive growth, Kohlberg also considers that not everyone advances to the highest stages of moral development.
Level 1. Preconventional Morality
The initial stage of moral development is known as preconventional morality, typically observed in children up to the age of 9. During this period, children base their decisions on the expectations of authority figures and the potential consequences of their actions. This level comprises two distinct stages:
Level 2. Standard Morality
The following stage of moral growth involves recognizing social rules concerning what is considered good and ethical. During this phase, teenagers and grown-ups internalize the moral principles instilled by their influencers and society.
This phase also emphasizes embracing authority and adhering to group norms. There are two stages within this level of morality:
Level 3: Advanced Moral Thinking
At this stage of moral growth, individuals grasp complex moral principles. This phase consists of two distinct stages:
Does Everyone Reach the Post-Conventional Stage?
The Enlightened Mind suggests that only a small proportion of individuals, approximately 10 to 15%, ever reach the post-conventional stages, according to Kohlberg’s theory.8 Previous analyses indicated that while the first four stages are prevalent across diverse populations, the fifth and sixth stages are uncommon in all societies.9
Recent studies have revealed that 53% of individuals operate at the pre-conventional level, 25% at the conventional level, and only 21% at the post-conventional stage, highlighting the rarity of higher moral development.10
Real-World Applications for Kohlberg’s Theory
Understanding Kohlberg’s theory of moral development is crucial for guiding children’s moral character. Parents can utilize this theory to steer their children’s moral growth, focusing on rule obedience for younger children and introducing social expectations to older children.
Educators, including teachers, can also implement Kohlberg’s theory in the classroom to offer moral guidance. For instance, a kindergarten teacher can promote moral development by establishing clear rules and consequences for breaking them, catering to children at stage one of moral development.
High school teachers may concentrate on stages three (building good interpersonal relationships) and four (maintaining social order) of moral development. Involving students in setting classroom rules can help them comprehend the rationale behind these rules, fostering moral growth.
Moral education should be tailored to the child’s developmental level.
Critiques of Kohlberg’s Theory of Moral Development
Kohlberg’s theory has been significant in shaping moral psychology. However, it has faced criticisms for various reasons:
According to Gilligan, Kohlberg’s theory places too much focus on justice and fails to consider moral reasoning based on values like care and empathy towards others.
