Kohlberg's Stages of Moral Development

Level 2

Conventional Level, includes stages 3 and 4. Conventional morality that is part of recognizing one's role in interpersonal relationships.

Stage 3

Conventional level (a). Good boy/good girl orientation. Golden Rule thinking. Right and wrong is determined by close others' approval or disapproval. What pleases others is good.

Stage 4

Conventional level (b). Authority orientation. Right and wrong is determined by society's rules and laws, which should be obeyed rigidly. Maintaining law and order, doing one's duty are good. Authority maintaining morality.

Level 3

Postconventional Level, includes stages 5 and 6. Judgments about morality begin to transcend formal societal laws.

Stage 5

Postconventional level (a). Social Contract orientation. Right and wrong is determined by society's rules which are viewed as fallible rather than absolute. Some laws are better than others (combine society's values and individual rights beliefs). Community respect/disrespect

Stage 6

Postconventional level (b). Individual principles and conscience orientation. Right and wrong is determined by abstract ethical principles that emphasize equity and justice. Right and wrong are matters of individual philosophy according to universal principles of ethics. Own conscience determines. Not everyone reaches this stage. Examples of those who did: MLK Jr., Gandhi, Thoreau

Level 1

Preconventional Level, includes stages 1 and 2. Egocentrism and Personal Interests. How YOU are directly punished or rewarded.

Stage 1

Preconventional level (a). Punishment orientation. Right and wrong is determined by what is punished (Fear of punishment). Consequences of actions determine right/wrong.

Stage 2

Preconventional level (b). Naive reward orientation. Right and wrong is determined by what is rewarded (Good behavior to receive good behavior back from others). Satisfaction of one's own needs defines what is good.