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<p><amp-youtube layout="responsive" width="1080" height="608" data-videoid="bKlxmj49KoA" title="Theory of Moral Development | Kohlberg | Psychology "><a placeholder href="https://youtu.be/bKlxmj49KoA"><img src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/bKlxmj49KoA/hqdefault.jpg" layout="fill" object-fit="cover" alt="Theory of Moral Development | Kohlberg | Psychology "></a></amp-youtube></p>
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<p><a href="https://youtu.be/bKlxmj49KoA">Kohlberg&#8217;s Theory of Moral Development</a></p>
<p>When we think about what makes a person good or bad, or why people make the choices they do in difficult situations, we are actually thinking about morality. Morality refers to the sense of right and wrong that guides human behavior, and it is a very important part of how societies function. One of the most influential psychologists who studied moral development was Lawrence Kohlberg. He was deeply interested in how people grow to understand morality, and he believed that morality develops in stages as a person matures, much like how children learn to walk, talk, or think in more complex ways as they get older. Kohlberg’s theory of moral development gives us a way to understand how human beings evolve from making decisions based on avoiding punishment to making decisions based on universal ethical principles such as justice and fairness.</p>
<p>Kohlberg proposed that moral development happens in three main levels, each divided into two stages, making six stages in total. The first level is called the pre-conventional level, the second is the conventional level, and the third is the post-conventional level. What is important to understand is that Kohlberg believed that these stages are sequential. This means that people move through them in order, and they cannot skip a stage. While not everyone reaches the highest stages, everyone starts at the beginning.</p>
<p>At the pre-conventional level, moral reasoning is very self-centered. Children at this stage make decisions based on the direct consequences to themselves. The first stage within this level is called the stage of obedience and punishment orientation. Here, children think of rules as fixed and absolute, handed down by authority figures, and they obey simply to avoid being punished. For example, a child might say, “I should not steal because I will get in trouble.” The second stage is called individualism and exchange. At this stage, children realize that different people may have different viewpoints and that there is not just one right answer handed down by authority. However, decisions are still made based on self-interest. For example, a child may say, “I will help you if you help me.”</p>
<p>As people grow older, many move into the conventional level. This is where individuals begin to internalize the moral standards of important figures in their lives such as parents, teachers, and friends. In stage three, often called the stage of good interpersonal relationships, people make decisions based on the desire to be seen as good and to maintain relationships. The reasoning is, “I will be nice to others so they will like me.” Morality here is tied to social approval. In stage four, called maintaining social order, individuals focus on obeying laws, respecting authority, and fulfilling duties to maintain the functioning of society as a whole. People at this stage think, “If everyone broke the rules, society would fall apart, so it is important to follow them.”</p>
<p>The final level, which not everyone reaches, is the post-conventional level. This is where individuals begin to think about morality in more abstract and universal terms, rather than simply following rules. In stage five, called the social contract and individual rights stage, people understand that laws and rules are important for maintaining order, but they also recognize that laws are not absolute and can be changed for the greater good of society. For example, someone may argue that if a law discriminates against a group of people, it should be changed because it violates principles of fairness. The final stage, stage six, is called the universal principles stage. At this level, individuals follow their own internalized principles of justice, equality, and human rights, even if these principles conflict with laws or social rules. For example, someone may choose to protest against an unjust government law because it goes against their deeply held belief in human dignity.</p>
<p>Kohlberg illustrated his theory with moral dilemmas, the most famous being the “Heinz dilemma.” In this scenario, Heinz’s wife is dying from a particular type of cancer, and the only drug that could save her is being sold by a pharmacist at a very high price. Heinz cannot afford the drug, and the pharmacist refuses to lower the price. The dilemma is whether Heinz should steal the drug to save his wife or not. According to Kohlberg, how a person reasons through this dilemma reveals the stage of moral development they are in. For example, someone in the first stage may say Heinz should not steal because he will go to jail, while someone in stage six may say Heinz should steal because saving a human life is more important than obeying the law.</p>
<p>Kohlberg’s theory has been very influential in psychology, education, and even philosophy. It helps teachers and parents understand how children think about right and wrong and provides guidance for how to nurture moral growth. However, the theory has also been criticized. Some critics argue that Kohlberg’s stages emphasize justice too much and ignore other important values like care, compassion, or community. Psychologist Carol Gilligan, for instance, argued that Kohlberg’s theory was based mostly on studies of boys and men, and therefore overlooked how girls and women might think about morality in terms of relationships and care rather than strict rules and principles. Despite these criticisms, Kohlberg’s work remains a cornerstone in the study of moral development.</p>
<p>In everyday life, we can see Kohlberg’s stages at work. When a child avoids lying just to escape punishment, they are in the first stage. When a teenager helps a friend because they want to be liked, that is stage three. When an adult votes for a law because it protects people’s rights, that reflects stage five thinking. These stages show us that moral development is not just about memorizing rules but about learning to think more deeply about fairness, justice, and the well-being of others.</p>
<p>In simple terms, Kohlberg’s theory of moral development helps us understand how people grow from being self-centered in their moral reasoning to becoming individuals who can think about broader issues of justice and humanity. It shows us that morality is not something fixed but something that evolves as we mature and face new challenges in life. While not everyone may reach the highest levels, the journey of moral growth is an essential part of being human.</p>
<p>If you found this explanation helpful, do not forget to like this video and subscribe to the channel for more easy-to-understand explanations of psychology and sociology topics. Your support helps bring more content like this to you and to others who are eager to learn.</p>
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<div id="attachment_3264" style="width: 173px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-3264" class=" wp-image-3264" src="https://sociologylearners.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/1000106047-300x300.jpg" alt="Khushdil Khan Kasi" width="163" height="163" /><p id="caption-attachment-3264" class="wp-caption-text"><strong>By Khushdil Khan Kasi</strong></p></div>
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