Kohlberg’s Stages of Moral Development

1. Kohlberg’s Stages of Moral Development Why we make the decisions we make…

2. Stage 1 – Reward and Punishment • Our earliest moral decisions are made on the basis of physical reward or punishment. • Young children often make decisions in much the same way as animals – they are trained to expect reward or punishment depending on their choice.

3. Stage 1 Examples • I will not take a cookie out of the jar because I don’t want to get sent to my room without dinner. • I will make my bed because if I do, I always get a quarter from my parents. • I will write on the walls with this crayon because nothing bad happens to me even when my parents get angry.

4. Stage 2 – Quid Pro Quo • Decisions made in this stage are done through a sense of bartering or negotiation. • Decision makers no longer simply accept the consequences, but they work to change the consequences before making a decision.

5. Stage 2 Examples • I will clean the basement, but only if you take me to the mall. • I will give you the answer to #4 if you let me ask your sister to Homecoming. • I will be good for the rest of the week if you just buy me that toy right now.

6. Stage 3 - Conforming • Decision makers act based on the opinions of the people who matter to them. What do I want others to think about me? • This is the “good boy” or “nice girl” stage, in which a person wants to protect his image with friends, family or community members. • Often associated with middle school years

7. Stage 3 Examples • I never swear in front of my grandma because I want her to think I am a good person. • I swear when I am with my friends because I want them to think that I am mature and not afraid to break some rules. • I am always nice to the teacher’s face so that she likes me, but always rip on her when I leave the room so that my friends don’t think I am a “teacher’s pet.”

8. Stage 4 – Law and Order • Known as the “duty” stage, this stage is governed by the rules. Decisions are usually made to follow the laws simply because that is what is expected. • Rules will be broken, but only if the decision maker sees no danger in everyone disregarding the rules. “What would happen if everyone did what I am about to do?”

9. Stage 4 Examples • I drive the speed limit because it is the law. • I wear dress code because that is what the school requires. • I take the little soaps and shampoos from hotels because even if everyone did that, it wouldn’t make much difference to the hotel.

10. Stage 5 – Social Contract • A person in stage 5 looks behind the law to see whether the decision is consistent with the values of society. • Laws may be violated if they are bad laws, if they go against the values of the group (society, Church, etc.)

11. Stage 5 Examples • I will not read your diary because our family values privacy. • I will respect your opinion because our society values freedom of opinion and expression. • I will protest against abortion because killing innocent babies is against our values of respect for life.

12. Stage 6 – Personal Conscience • Decisions are made based on universal ethical principles (dignity, justice, respect) • Regardless of what society thinks, a person in stage6 acts according to her conscience and her understanding of ethical principles. • People in stage 6 do the right things, unless they misunderstand a situation.

13. Stage 6 Examples • I will help the homeless person because every human being has basic dignity that should be respected. • I will not steal because it would be unjust to take something that doesn’t belong to me.

14. Practice… • Let’s try to show our knowledge with this practice decision….write down what a person in each stage might choose to do and WHY. • Decision: To cheat on a final exam

15. Learning Check… • This time, work on your own to see if you can apply this idea….write down what a person in each stage might choose to do and WHY. • Decision: To tell the truth about being late for curfew.