Kohlberg’s
Stages of Moral
Development
level 1: Pre-conventional
Level (self-interest)
STAGE 1
Obedience &
Punishment
• Avoid punishment.
• Morality is seen as
obeying rules set by
authority.
STAGE 2
Individualism and Exchange
• Personal needs and
rewards.
LEVEL 2: CONVENTIONAL
MORALITY
Stage 3
Good Interpersonal
Relationships
(Good Boy/Nice Girl)
• Focus: Approval and
being seen as “good.”
• Morality = based on
intentions and pleasing
others.
Stage 4
Maintaining Social Order
(Law and Order
Orientation)
• Focus: Duty, law, and
authority.
• Morality = following
rules to keep society
stable.
LEVEL 3: POST-CONVENTIONAL
MORALITY to adventure
Stage 5
Social Contract and Individual
Rights
• Focus: Laws are important but
not absolute.
• Morality = protecting basic
human rights and values
(justice, equality).
• Laws should serve the greater
good; if unjust, they should
change.
Stage 6
Universal Ethical Principles
(Principled Conscience)
• Focus: Internal moral
compass based on universal
principles (justice, equality,
dignity).
• Morality = following one’s
conscience, even against
laws or authority.

KHOLBERG'S MORAL DEVELOPMENT POWERPOINT BCORE4

  • 2.
  • 4.
    level 1: Pre-conventional Level(self-interest) STAGE 1 Obedience & Punishment • Avoid punishment. • Morality is seen as obeying rules set by authority. STAGE 2 Individualism and Exchange • Personal needs and rewards.
  • 5.
    LEVEL 2: CONVENTIONAL MORALITY Stage3 Good Interpersonal Relationships (Good Boy/Nice Girl) • Focus: Approval and being seen as “good.” • Morality = based on intentions and pleasing others. Stage 4 Maintaining Social Order (Law and Order Orientation) • Focus: Duty, law, and authority. • Morality = following rules to keep society stable.
  • 6.
    LEVEL 3: POST-CONVENTIONAL MORALITYto adventure Stage 5 Social Contract and Individual Rights • Focus: Laws are important but not absolute. • Morality = protecting basic human rights and values (justice, equality). • Laws should serve the greater good; if unjust, they should change. Stage 6 Universal Ethical Principles (Principled Conscience) • Focus: Internal moral compass based on universal principles (justice, equality, dignity). • Morality = following one’s conscience, even against laws or authority.