8/8/2019 Kohlberg's Six Stages of Moral Reasoning Psychology)

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KOHLBERG’s Six Stages of Moral Reasoning

Lawrence Kohlberg found that the reasons people give for their moral choices change

systematically and consistently with age because of hypothetical moral dilemmas. He proposed

that moral reasoning develops in six stages. These stages are not tightly linked to a person’s

chronological age; there is a range of ages for reaching each stage, and not everyone reaches the

highest level. Here are the different levels and stages of Kohlberg’s Moral Reasoning:

♦ Level I: Pre-conventional: Emphasis is on external control; The standards are those of 

others, and they are observed either to avoid punishment or to reap rewards

• Stage 1: Obedience, or reward orientation; Motivated by avoidance of punishment

and “conscience” is irrational; Fear of punishment

• Stage 2: Instrumental Exchange, or marketplace orientation; Motivated by desire

for reward or benefit; Guilt reactions are ignored and punishment is viewed

 pragmatically

♦ Level 2: Morality of Conventional Role: Emphasis is to please other people; The standards

are still those of others but they have internalized these standards to some extent; They take

roles of authority figures well enough to decide whether an action is good by their standards

• Stage 3: Conformist, or “good boy, good girl” orientation; Motivated by

anticipation of disapproval of others; Actual or imagined

• Stage 4: “Law and Order” orientation; Motivated by anticipation of dishonor--- an

institutionalized blame for failure of duty--- and by guilt over harm done to others

♦ Level 3: Morality of Autonomous Moral Principle: This level marks the true attainment

of true morality; in this level, the person acknowledges the possibility of conflict between

two socially accepted standards and tries to decide between them; The control of conduct is

now internal, both in the standards observed and in the reasoning about right and wrong.

• Stage 5: Social-contract or legalistic orientation; Concern about maintaining

respect of equals and of community; Concern about own self-respect--- that is,

about avoiding judging self as irrational, inconsistent, non-purposive

• Stage 6: Universal ethical principle orientation; Concern about self-condemnation

for violating one’s own principles

REACTION

Upon reading Kohlberg’s Stages of Moral Reasoning, I have learned that each and very

one of us has different moral stages; some reach the highest level but most stay in the first twolevels. It depends on our moral understanding that will determine where stages are we in to.

Kohlberg well used hypothetical moral dilemmas to thoroughly explain these six stages. His

research work is not very easy to understand but if you focus our minds and hearts in this

research, you will truly see the beauty and essence of this work that beyond doubt can truly helpus develop our moral stands in life.