Kohlbergs Theory of Moral Development

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Kohlbergs Theory of Moral Development
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Kohlberg

• 1969, 1976
• Heinz Dilemma
• Identified 3 levels of moral development
• Each level has 2 stages total of 6 stages

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Level One

• Level One Pre-Conventional Morality
• Stage 1 Punishment-Obedience
  Orientation
• Stage 2 Naïve Instrumental Hedonism

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Level Two

• Level Two Conventional Morality
• Stage 3 Good Boy Morality
• Stage 4 Authority Maintaining Morality

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Level Three

• Level Three Post-Conventional
  Morality
• Stage 5 Morality of Contract and
  Democracy
• Stage 6 Morality of Individual Principles of
  Conscience

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Progression of Stages

• Begin to appreciate opinions/perspectives of
  others
• Changes come about when children can discuss
  others points of view
• Focus moves from self to others

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Practice Questions

• Response to Dilemma 1 If you let your wife die,
  you will get in trouble. Youll be blamed for not
  spending the money to save her and therell be an
  investigation of you and the druggist for your
  wifes death.
• Response to Dilemma 1 The law wasnt set up for
  these circumstances. Taking the drug in this
  situation isnt really right, buts its justified
  to do it.

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Resources

• Bukatko, D. Daehler, M. W. (1998). Child
  Development A Thematic Approach (3rd ed.). New
  York, New York Houghton Mifflin Company.
• Blessed to Be a Blessing. Kohlberg's Theory of
  Moral Development Explained and Illustrated.
  Retrieved January 22, 2008, fromhttp//www.vtaide
  .com/blessing/Kohlberg.ht