Kohlberg’s Stages of Moral Development

Mr Kohlberg make an experiment toward 72 Chicago's boys (age: 10, 13, 16) added by some American boys and girls, about oral development.

The result of his experiment is a theory of Chidren Moral Development... :]

Kohlberg’s six stages:

Level 1. Preconvention Morality

Stage 1 Obedience and Punishment Orientation

Children think what is right as what the adult says it is right. They do the right thing because they are afraid with punishment.

Stage 2 Individualism and Exchange

Children recognize that there is not just one right view. They know different individual have different point of view.

Level 2 Conventional Morality

Stage 3 Good Interpersonal Relationship

Children stressed how to become a good person. They will be a helpful person for people that close to him.

Stage 4 Maintaining the social Order

Children are obeying the law to maintain the society order.

Level 3 Post conventional Morality

Stage 5 Social Contract and Individual Right

Children emphasize basic right and democratic process.

Stage 6 Universal Principles

Children want the justice.

My idea:

Knowing those stages are important. Especially to shape children’s moral.

So, when there is a problem at class, they will not blame his friend or just beat his friend. They can think and make a decision. They will understand how to apply a justice punishment.

Teacher need to shape this kind of moral stage to build children morality. 

Source:

Discussion on Wednesday 22 February 2012

W.C. Crain. (1985) Theories of Development. Prentice-Hall. pp. 118-136 (http://faculty.plts.edu/gpence/html/kohlberg.htm)

picture: http://www.flickr.com/photos/comsec/