Kohlberg's Theory

In class we discussed Kohlberg’s levels and stages of moral development. There is the pre-conventional level, which is where a person does not think about moral principles. Within the pre-conventional level there is the punishment stage where a person tries to avoid punishment and the hedonism stage, which is when a person moves towards something that they like to do. These stages are based on behaviorism. The conventional level is the level of moral reasoning for social approval or law. Within this level there is the “Nice girl/boy” stage where they are looking for social approval. Then there is the law and order stage where people do not do things because they are against the law. Then there is the post-conventional level, which is where morality is completely internalized and not based on external standards. There is the social contract stage where people act in a certain way, because that is what society expects of you. Then there is the universal ethical stage, which is the highest stage and not very people reach this stage. This stage is where human life is more important than profit. I think I would be in different stages in different situations, but I think I am mostly at the social contract stage of Kohlberg’s level and stages of moral development, because I act in a certain way that my society sees fit.   

This chart shows the 3 levels and 6 stages of Kohlberg's levels and stages of moral development.