Kohlberg moral development | Individuals and Society | MCAT | Khan Academy

Laurence Kohlberg's Theory of Moral Development

Key Concepts: Moral development, moral reasoning, Heinz dilemma, pre-conventional morality, conventional morality, post-conventional morality, stages of moral development, obedience vs. punishment, individualism and exchange, good boy/good girl, maintaining social order, social contract, universal ethical principle.

Overview

Laurence Kohlberg developed a theory of moral development, distinct from other developmental theories (like those of Vygotsky, Freud, and Erikson) but rooted in cognitive development (similar to Vygotsky). Kohlberg focused on how moral reasoning changes as individuals grow, using dilemma stories to assess moral judgment.

Methodology: The Heinz Dilemma

Kohlberg presented children of various ages with dilemma stories, the most famous being the "Heinz Dilemma."

• The Heinz Dilemma: Heinz's wife is dying of cancer, and a local chemist has a drug that could save her but charges ten times the production cost. Heinz can only raise half the money. The chemist refuses to lower the price or allow Heinz to pay later. Desperate, Heinz steals the drug.
• Questions Posed: After presenting the dilemma, Kohlberg asked questions like:
  • Should Heinz have stolen the drug?
  • Would it matter if Heinz didn't love his wife?
  • What if the dying person was a stranger?
  • Should the police arrest the chemist for murder if the wife dies?

Three Levels of Moral Reasoning

Kohlberg identified three distinct levels of moral reasoning, each further divided into two stages, resulting in six stages in total. Individuals progress through these stages sequentially, and not everyone reaches the highest stage.

1. Pre-Conventional (Pre-Moral) Level

• Characteristics: Authority is external, and reasoning is based on physical consequences. Rules are seen as fixed and absolute.
  • Stage 1: Obedience vs. Punishment: Obeying rules to avoid punishment. Punishment implies wrongdoing.
    • Example: A child refrains from hitting another child because they fear being punished by their parents.
  • Stage 2: Individualism and Exchange: Recognizing that different individuals have different viewpoints.
    • Example: A child might agree to trade toys with another child, understanding that both will benefit from the exchange.

2. Conventional Level

• Characteristics: Authority is internalized but not questioned. Reasoning is based on the norms of the group.
  • Stage 3: Good Boy/Good Girl: Acting in ways to be seen as good by others. Emphasis on conformity and consideration of how choices influence relationships.
    • Example: A teenager helps with chores around the house to be seen as a "good" child by their parents.
  • Stage 4: Maintaining Social Order (Law and Order): Awareness of wider societal rules. Obeying rules to uphold the law and avoid guilt.
    • Example: An adult pays their taxes on time because they understand it's their civic duty and helps maintain social order.

3. Post-Conventional Level

• Characteristics: Individual judgment is based on self-chosen principles. Higher moral reasoning based on individual rights and justice for the greater good.
  • Stage 5: Social Contract: Recognizing that rules and laws exist for the greater good but may sometimes work against the interests of particular individuals. Laws can be broken to uphold higher morals.
    • Example: Believing that protecting a life (Heinz's wife) is more important than obeying the law against stealing.
  • Stage 6: Universal Ethical Principle: Developing one's own set of moral guidelines based on universal principles like human rights, justice, and equality. Willing to act and defend these principles, even against societal norms and at personal cost.
    • Example: Individuals like Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, and Martin Luther King Jr., who fought for equality and justice, even when it meant breaking unjust laws and facing imprisonment.

Synthesis/Conclusion

Kohlberg's theory provides a framework for understanding the development of moral reasoning. It suggests that individuals progress through stages, from a focus on avoiding punishment to an understanding of social contracts and, ultimately, adherence to universal ethical principles. The Heinz dilemma serves as a tool to assess an individual's stage of moral development. The theory acknowledges that not everyone reaches the highest stages, and those who do are willing to act on their principles, even in the face of adversity.