Theories of Lawrence Kohlberg

born on October 25, 1927 in Bronxville, New York
died on January 19, 1987
professor at Harvard University in the early 1970s
started as a developmental psychologist and then moved to moral education
well known for theory of moral development through research studies at Harvard's Center for Moral Education
inspired by Swiss psychologist Jean Piaget, American philosopher John Dewey, and James Mark Baldwin
emphasized that human beings develop philosophically and psychologically in a progressive fashion
believed there was 6 stages, classified into 3 levels

Main Idea- Theory of Moral Development

Lawrence Kohlberg proposed moral development s a continual process that occurs throughout the lifespan

Levels of Moral Development

1) Preconventional Morality

Stage 1) Obedience and Punishment: Children see rules as fixed and absolute, obeying rules to avoid punishment

Stage 2) Individualism and Exchange: They judge actions on how they serve needs

2) Conventional Morality

Stage 3) Interpersonal Relationships: Focused on living up to social expectations, conformity, being "nice" etc.

Stage 4) Maintaining Social Order: Begin to consider society as a whole, maintaining law and order, respecting authority

3) Post-conventional Morality

Stage 5) Social Cons and Individual Rights: Account for differing of values, opinions and beliefs

Stage 6) Universal Principles and Abstract Reasoning: They follow these internalized principles of justice even if they conflict with laws and rules

Application in Society

The Conventional Stage revolves around interpersonal relationships, and is characterized by an attitude which yearns to attain the appreciation and approval of those around us. Evidently demonstrated throughout one’s home life and social life, for human beings are constantly seeking approval from others, especially that of authority figures. Translating into methods people use in order to grow as an individual, both mentally and socially.

Application Education

At the elementary school level, it is the first stage that conforms to the socially acceptable norms due to the influence of one or many authority figures (e.g parents, teachers etc). This obedience is compelled by the threat or implication of punishment. Reflecting back on one’s own experiences during elementary school, each and every individual can recall the modification of behaviour or the obedience of rules as implemented or portrayed by authority figures.

Application in Business

Both stages five and six of the Post-Conventional Morality level apply to the workplace and in business as the two of them demonstrate an understanding of social mutuality and a genuine interest in the welfare of others. The final stage, Universal Principles, is based on respect for universal principles and the demands of the individual’s conscience. These are stages which must be thoroughly developed in order to be an employee, employer or someone involved with leadership roles.

In a Nutshell: Lawrence Kohlberg developed the theory of "Moral Development" and he believed that a human's lifespan could be divided into three levels and six stages which define the way in which humans attain their values & morals.

Page Constructed by: Jessica

Information gathered from notes taken in previous years