What are the six stages of moral development?

Kohlberg’s 6 Stages of Moral Development

  • The full story. …
  • Stage 1: Obedience and punishment. …
  • Stage 2: Self-interest. …
  • Stage 3: Interpersonal accord and conformity. …
  • Stage 4: Authority and maintaining social order. …
  • Stage 5: Social contract. …
  • Stage 6: Universal ethical principles. …
  • Pre-conventional level.

What is the stage 6 of moral development?

Stage 6: Universal ethical principle orientation



According to Kohlberg, this is the highest stage of functioning. However, he claimed that some individuals will never reach this level. At this stage, the appropriate action is determined by one’s self-chosen ethical principles of conscience.

What are the different stages of moral development?

The three levels of moral reasoning include preconventional, conventional, and postconventional. By using children’s responses to a series of moral dilemmas, Kohlberg established that the reasoning behind the decision was a greater indication of moral development than the actual answer.

What is stage 6 of Kohlberg’s theory?

In Stage six, moral reasoning is based on abstract reasoning using universal ethical principles. Laws are valid only insofar as they are grounded in justice, and that a commitment to justice carries with it an obligation to disobey unjust laws.

What is the stage 5 of moral development?

Stage 5: Individuals employ abstract reasoning to justify behaviors. The man should steal the drug because laws can be unjust, and you have to consider the whole situation. Stage 6: Moral behavior is based on self-chosen ethical principles. The man should steal the drug because life is more important than property.

Who Developed 6 stages of moral development?

Lawrence Kohlberg

Lawrence Kohlberg, an American psychologist, was among the pioneers of moral development research. Building on from the original propositions of Jean Piaget, Kohlberg theorised that humans develop their moral judgements in 6 stages.

Who is the creator of the six stages of moral development?

Lawrence Kohlberg is best known for his model on the stages of moral development. Kohlberg developed his six-stage theory on moral development while working on his doctorate degree. His theory was inspired by the research of Jean Piaget and has changed the way sociologists and psychologists look at moral development.

How many main stages of moral development are there?

Kohlberg’s theory of moral development is a theory that focuses on how children develop morality and moral reasoning. Kohlberg’s theory suggests that moral development occurs in a series of six stages.

What is the first stage of moral development?

Preconventional morality – young children under the age of 9



The first stage highlights the self-interest of children in their decision making as they seek to avoid punishment at all costs. In relation to our example above, the man should not steal the medication from the pharmacy as he may go to jail if he is caught.

How many stages of moral development are there in each level?

The six stages of moral development occur in phases of pre-conventional, conventional and post-conventional morality. For his studies, Kohlberg relied on stories such as the Heinz dilemma and was interested in how individuals would justify their actions if placed in similar moral dilemmas.

What is Stage 5 in Kohlberg?

Stage 5 respondents basically believe that a good society is best conceived as a social contract into which people freely enter to work toward the benefit of all They recognize that different social groups within a society will have different values, but they believe that all rational people would agree on two points.

How do you remember Kohlberg’s stages?


Quote from video: Okay so let's see what you can remember you can boil kohlberg down to pcp pre-conventional conventional post-conventional or three people a preacher a convict and a postman.

Why do you think that the last level of Kohlberg’s Six stage of moral development is not reached by all and is even rarely seen in adults?

The last stage (stage 6) is based on respect for universal principle and the demands of individual conscience. While Kohlberg always believed in the existence of Stage 6 and had some nominees for it, he could never get enough subjects to define it, much less observe their longitudinal movement to it.

What is an example of moral development?

Quote from video:

Which is Stage 5 of Kohlberg’s stages of moral development?

Stage 5 respondents basically believe that a good society is best conceived as a social contract into which people freely enter to work toward the benefit of all They recognize that different social groups within a society will have different values, but they believe that all rational people would agree on two points.

What are the 7 steps in moral reasoning?

A 7-STep Guide to Ethical Decision-Making

  • State the problem.
  • Check the facts.
  • Identify relevant factors (internal and external).
  • Develop a list of options.
  • Test the options.
  • Make a choice based on steps 1-5.
  • Review steps 1-6.


What are the 6 moral principles?

o Consider the moral principles of autonomy, nonmaleficence, beneficence, justice, and fidelity. Decide which principles apply to the specific situation, and determine which principle takes priority for you in this case.