Module 8
Kohlberg’s Stages of Moral Development
Overview
Individuals, when confronted by situations where they
need to make moral decisions, exercise their own ability
to use moral reasoning. Lawrence Kohlberg was
interested in studying the development of moral
reasoning. He based his theory on the findings of Piaget
in studying cognitive development. Our ability to choose
right and wrong is tied with our ability to understand
and reason logically.
as
Learning Outcomes
At the end of this module, you should be able to:
1. Explain the stages of moral development.
2. Analyze a person’s level of moral reasoning
based on his responses to moral dilemmas.
3. Cite how the theory of moral development
can be applied to your work as teachers
later on.
as
Activity
A case of moral
dilemma.
Activity
1. If you were Nic, what would you do?
2. Why would you choose to do that?
What were the things you
considered in deciding what to
do?
Analysis
In which of these responses is your answer
most similar?
Stage 1 – “Yes, I will tell our parents
because if they found out later that I
knew, for sure they will get angry and
most likely punish me.”
Analysis
Stage 2 – “Yes, I will tell my parents
because they will reward me for it. I
will ask for that new IPod that I’m
wishing to have.”
Stage 3 – “Yes, I will tell so my parents
will think I am such an honest boy.”
Analysis
Stage 4 – “Yes, I will tell because we should
follow the rules that our parents say.”
Stage 5 – “Yes, I will tell because he might
be hurt or get in trouble and his welfare
is a top priority.”
Analysis
Stage 6 – “ Yes, I will tell because
lying is always wrong and I want
to be true to what I believe in.”
Abstraction
Kohlberg’s Stages of Moral Development
Kohlberg’s model of moral
development attempted to explain
how children develop a sense of right
and wrong. He believed that children
form ways of thinking through their
experiences which include
understanding of moral concepts
such as justice, rights, equality and
human welfare.
Kohlberg’s Stages of Moral Development
Kohlberg identified six stages of moral
reasoning grouped into three major
levels.
Kohlberg’s Stages of Moral Development
Level 1 - Preconventional Morality
Moral reasoning is based on the
consequence/result of the act, not on
whether the act itself is good or bad.
Kohlberg’s Stages of Moral Development
Preconventional Level
Stage 1 – Punishment/Obedience. One is
motivated by fear of punishment. He
will act in order to avoid punishment.
Kohlberg’s Stages of Moral Development
Preconventional Level
Stage 2 – Mutual Benefit. One is
motivated to act by the benefit that
one may obtain later. You scratch my
back, I’ll scratch yours.
Kohlberg’s Stages of Moral Development
Level 2 - Conventional Morality
Moral reasoning is based on the
conventions or “norms” of society. This
may include approval of others, law and
order.
Kohlberg’s Stages of Moral Development
Conventional Level
Stage 3 – Social Approval. One is
motivated by what others expect in
behavior – good boy, good girl. The
person acts because he/she values
how he/she will appear to others. He
gives importance on what people will
think or say.
Kohlberg’s Stages of Moral Development
Conventional Level
Stage 4 – Law and Order. One is motivated
to act in order to uphold law and order.
The person will follow the law because it
is the law.
Kohlberg’s Stages of Moral Development
Level 3 - Post-conventional Morality
Moral reasoning is based on enduring or
consistent principles. It is not just
recognizing the law, but the principles
behind the law.
Kohlberg’s Stages of Moral Development
Post-conventional Level
Stage 5 – Social Contract. Laws that are
wrong can be changed. One will act
based on social justice and the common
good.
Kohlberg’s Stages of Moral Development
Post-conventional Level
Stage 6 – Universal Principles. This is
associated with the development of
one’s conscience. Having a set of
standards that drives one to possess
moral responsibility to make societal
changes regardless of consequences to
oneself.
Summary
Kohlberg’s Theory of Moral
Development holds that moral reasoning
is the basis of moral behavior. This
helps teachers to better understand
the different levels of moral
development of learners. This will
give them proper guidance about
students’ moral behavior.
Application
1. Read a research that is related to
Kohlberg’s theory, then fill out the
matrix below.
Problem Research Methodology
Findings Conclusions
Source: (bibliographical entry format)
Application
2. From the module on Kohlberg’s Stages of
Moral Development, I realized that…..
Thank you.