Kohlberg's levels and stages of moral development
Kohlberg
"Rule berg" what is right level I (prior to 10 years) - authority is right level II (adolescent and adults) - what is good for society is right Level III (10% of population) - what is ethical is right
Level III (ethics is right)
3) Postman = Post-conventional: move to better society, and justice for all stage 5 key idea: social contract (a written contract), stage 6 key idea: universal principles (the universe). Mnemonic image for postconventional: • a postman (postconventional) • delivering a contract you have to sign (social contract) begin to question status quo, protect society but recognize group differences exist, the "right" decision is one moving to better society • and your latest edition of Universe Today magazine (universal principles) Justice for all; right decision is the most just decision stage 5: social contact and individual rights: differing values, opinions, and beliefs of other people. Rules of the law are important for maintaining a society, but the members of the society should agree upon these standards. (society needs to decide whether life saving medications can be withheld just because someone can not afford it) stage 6: Universal principles Universal ethical principles and abstract reasoning. At this stage, people follow these internalized principles of justice, even if they conflict with laws and rules. (life is more important then capitalism, the man should be allowed to have the drug)
Level I (authority is right)
Level I (*9 years old and younger*) "Preacher" - authority is right, right is different to different people Pre-conventional Morality 1) Preacher = PREconventional: stage 1 key idea: obedience ("bees and ants") stage 2 key idea: self-interest (we'll use "fish" for selfish interest). Mnemonic image for Preconventional: • a preacher (Preconventional) • smacking bees (obedience) to authority • with a fish (selfish interest) - each person has different idea about what is right Stage 1: *obedience and punishment orientation:* the child is good in order to avoid being punished. If a person is punished, they must have been wrong. Rules are fixed. (by stealing the medication for his dying wife, the man broke the rule so it was wrong) State 2: *Selfish/ individualism exchange.*: At this stage children recognize that there is not just one right view that is handed down by the authorities. Different individuals have different viewpoints. (the man had no choice but to steal the drug so the man was right)
Level II (society is right)
Level III (most adolescents and adults) 2) Convict = Conventional: society determines what is right, maintain social order stage 3 key idea: societal norms ("a guy named Norm"), stage 4 key idea: law and order (a prison): Mnemonic image for conventional: • a convict (conventional) • with the name "Norm" tattooed across his chest (societal norms) - society defines what is right • who is behind prison bars (law and order) decision that maintains order is the "right" decision stage 3 - interpersonal relationships/conformity, The person is good because wants to be seen as good by others. (Stealing is bad, it is better not to steal) stage 4 - maintain social order - follow rules (the man needs to follow rules, stealing is forbidden, so the man was wrong)
ethics are important, laws are not always right
Post-conventional
only 10% of people
Postconvntional
Kohlberg's 3 levels and 6 stages of moral development from "the psych files" By Michael A Britt
There are three levels in the theory: • Preconventional • Conventional and • Postconventional. • You could use the acronym "PCP" to help you with the levels, but we'll need additional mnemonics to get to the details in Kohlberg's theory:Another approach to memorizing Kohlberg's Stages • Let's use three people to represent the three levels: 1. a Preacher 2. a Convict 3. a Postman. 1) Preacher = PREconventional: stage 1 key idea: obedience ("bees and ants"), stage 2 key idea: selfinterest (we'll use "fish" for selfish interest). Mnemonic image for Preconventional: • a preacher (Preconventional) • smacking bees (obedience) • with a fish (selfish interest) 2) Convict = Conventional: stage 3 key idea: societal norms ("a guy named Norm"), stage 4 key idea: law and order (a prison): Mnemonic image for conventional: • a convict (conventional) • with the name "Norm" written across his chest (societal norms) • who is behind prison bars (law and order) 3) Postman = Postconventional: stage 5 key idea: social contract (a written contract), stage 6 key idea: universal principles (the universe). Mnemonic image for postconventional: • a postman (postconventional) • delivering a contract you have to sign (social contract) • and your latest edition of Universe Today magazine (universal principles) I hope these mnemonics are helpful on your test! Be sure to check the other resources on The Psych Files website and podcast. - Michael A. Britt, Ph.D
It's not good to steal, otherwise there will be breakdown in society
conventional
adolescents and adults
conventional
maintain social order
conventional
move to better society
conventional
society determines what is right
conventional
society is right
conventional
Piaget's levels of cognitive development from "the psych files" by Michael A Britt
https://youtu.be/OXd5nxrBVrs
social contract - laws are not always good for all
post-conventional
universal
post-conventional
Life is more important then stealing
postconventional
ethics is right
postconventional
authority is right
pre-conventional
right is different for different people
pre-conventional
Prior to 9 years old
preconventional
authority is right
preconventional
the man should be punished for breaking the law
preconventional
