Lawrence Kohlberg
Kohlberg (1927 - 1987) was an American psychologist that was best known for his theory of stages of moral development. He found passion in furthering the work of Piaget's moral development. It took him a matter of five years before he could publish his first article based on these views. He went to publish more works, however. Kohlberg’s Theory of Moral Development How do children develop a source of morality? Lawrence Kohlberg explored his theory as he expanded Jean Piaget’s work on the explanation on how children develop moral reasoning. Piaget proposed a two-stage process of moral development, while Kohlberg outlined six stages within three different levels proposing moral development continuous at every age. Kohlberg was more interested on the reasoning behind the decision made rather than one believes if an action was right or wrong. Kohlberg’s first research of a moral dilemma of Heinz and his dying wife was presented to three different age groups. (Heinz story is presented to children in the video on the right.) Kohlberg was more interested on the reasoning behind each child’s response and relating it to their age group. After multiple responses in the Heinz dilemma, Kohlberg presented his theory of moral development of six stages grouped into three levels of morality: preconventional, conventional, and postconventional. Level 1 Preconventional Morality Age range: The age range seen in the first stage is mostly presented in preschool children, but not as often seen in older children. Stage 1: Punishment Avoidance and Obedience Kohlberg believed that people made decisions based on what they believed was best for themselves, and did not take into account others’ needs or feelings. Children would obey the rules in order to avoid punishment for wrong actions. (An example of a stage 1 can be seen on the chart on the right) Stage 2: Exchange of Favors In this stage of moral development children become aware that other children have needs. A child may want to satisfy another children’s need only if their own needs are met. However, the child still makes decisions based on what is right or wrong to benefit was is best for them. (An example of stage 2 can be seen on the chart on the right.) Preconventional morality is the early stage of moral development in a child. The child is still not well aware of what is right or wrong. Based on the Heinz dilemma the first stage the child is mainly focused on the consequence of punishment for taking the medicine. The second stage the child starts to understand the importance of savings ones life, but based on Heinz’s feelings towards his wife of whether or not Heinz loves her. |
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