Kohlberg's Theory of Moral Development
- 1. Kohlberg’s Theory of Moral Development (Lawrence Kohlberg)
- 2. Moral Development - child’s reasoning about morality, their attitudes toward moral lapses, and their behavior when faced with moral issues.
- 3. Kohlberg’s Stages I. Pre-conventional Level Stage 1: Punishment/Obedience Stage 2: Mutual Benefit II. Conventional Level Stage 3: Social Approval Stage 4: Law and Order III.Post-conventional Level Stage 5: Social Contract Stage 6: Universal Principles
- 4. MORAL DILEMMA Ryan has been saving up money to buy a ticket for this concert of rock band. His parents have discouraged him from going as the concert will surely be with a rowdy crowd. The band is notorious for having out-ofcontrol audience who somehow manages to get drunk and stoned during the concert. Ryan agreed not to watch anymore. But a day before the concert, Nic, his brother, saw a corner of what appeared to be a concert ticket showing the pocket of Ryan’s bag.
- 5. Nic examined it and confirmed it was indeed a ticket. Looking at Ryan’s bag, Nic also found an extra shirt and 2 sticks of marijuana. So he figured Ryan will go on to the concert after all. That nigh, Ryan told his parents that he was spending tomorrow night at a classmate’s house for school requirement. Then, later that evening, he told Nic of his plan to go to the concert. Nic didn’t say anything, but he found it difficult to sleep that night, thinking whether to tell their parents of not.
- 6. I. Pre-conventional Level • Stage 1 (Punishment/ Obedience) - One is motivated by fear of punishment • Stage 2 (Mutual Benefit) - The child conforms to gain rewards.
- 7. • 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. • No, I will not tell because Ryan will make my life difficult and also punish me for telling.
- 8. • Yes, I will tell my parents because they will reward me for it. I will subtly ask for that new I pod that I’m wishing to have. • No, I will not tell. Ryan will surely grant me a lot of favors for not telling. He’ll not also squeal on me.
- 9. II. Conventional Level • Stage 3 ( Social Approval) - The person acts because he/she values how he/she will appear to others.
- 10. • Yes, I will tell so my parents will think I am such an honest boy. • No, I will not tell. Ryan will think of me as a really cool brother.
- 11. To be continued…
- 12. T H A N K Y O U