The early stages focused on obeying authority, while later stages centered more on relationships and social order.
In the final stages, people base moral decisions on social contracts, individual rights, and universal principles.
What Is Moral Development, Exactly?
Verywell / Bailey Mariner
How do people develop morality?
Do all kids develop morality in similar ways?
Kohlberg extended Piaget’s theory, proposing that moral development is a continual process that occurs throughout the lifespan.
Kohlberg’s theory outlines six stages of moral development within three different levels.
Participants were also interviewed to determine the reasoning behind their judgments in each scenario.
One example was “Heinz Steals the Drug.”
In this scenario, a woman has cancer and her doctors believe only one drug might save her.
The woman’s husband, Heinz, could only raise $1,000 to buy the drug.
But the pharmacist refused to sell it for any less or to accept partial payments.
Rebuffed, Heinz instead broke into the pharmacy and stole the drug to save his wife.
Kohlberg asked, “Should the husband have done that?”
He then classified their reasoning into the stages of his theory of moral development.
Stages of Moral Development
Kohlberg’s theory is broken down into three primary levels.
At each level of moral development, there are two stages.
Level 1.
Preconventional Morality
Preconventional morality is the earliest period of moral development.
It lasts until around the age of 9.
There are two stages within this level:
Level 2.
This period also focuses on the acceptance of authority and conforming to the norms of the group.
There are two stages at this level of morality:
Level 3.
Postconventional Morality
At this level of moral development, people develop an understanding of abstract principles of morality.
The two stages at this level are:
Does Everyone Reach the Post-Conventional Stage?
Teachers and other educators can also apply Kohlberg’s theory in the classroom, providing additional moral guidance.
This would help kids at stage one of moral development.
Moral education should focus on the developmental level of the child.
Other Theories of Moral Development
Kohlberg isn’t the only psychologist to theorize how we develop morally.
There are several other theories of moral development.
Piaget’s Theory of Moral Development
Kohlberg’s theory is an expansion ofPiaget’s theoryof moral development.
Others are realization-focused, concentrating more on removing injustices.
One theory falling into the second category is social choice theory.
Take This Pop Quiz
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