V.M.WESTERBERG’S SUPER BRIEF THEORY SERIES

LAWRENCE KOHLBERG

Kohlberg’s Moral Theory of Development

Although it has been questioned as to whether it applied equally to different

genders and different cultures, Kohlberg’s (1973) stages of moral development is the most widely cited moral development theory.

For Kohlberg, the development of morality undergoes three stages:

1.Preconventional Level or Self-focused Morality (birth to 9) For children in this stage, morality is defined as obeying rules and avoiding

negative consequences.

Morality is externally controlled:

_ Stage 1– Morality is obedience to avoid punishment because they fear of

authority.

_ Stage 2 – Morality is obedience for a purpose: self interest or in exchange

for favours.

2. Conventional Level or Others-focused Morality (age 9 to 18)

Pre-teens and teenagers think morality is doing what is expected of them by

their parents and teachers.

3. Post-conventional Level or Higher-focused Morality (over 18)

For adults morality is culture (keeping its values, traditions), law (abiding by it) and circumstances (morality depends on the circumstances surrounding an

act).