Kohlberg’s Stages of Moral Development

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Lawrence Kohlberg was heavily influenced by Piaget but wanted to understand how people developed morally.  He studied children’s responses to moral dilemmas and identified six progressive stages that people pass through.  The primary concern of Kohlberg’s stages is justice.  In Kohlberg’s theory, children operate largely under the first two stages, and a large number of adults never develop beyond level four.

The stages Lawrence Kohlberg identified are:

1. Orientation to obedience and punishment
2. Orientation to self-interest
3. Conformity and interpersonal accord
4. Orientation to authority and social order
5. Orientation to a social contract
6. Orientation to universal ethical principals

Optional Resources for Further Study

• Video: Kohlberg moral development | Individuals and Society | MCAT | Khan Academy​ 
• Kohlberg’s Theory of Moral Development, by Psychology Notes HQ · January 20, 2016

Course Navigation Menu

1. Course Agenda
​​2. Pre-Assessment​ (1/7)
3. Erikson (1902-1994)
4. Stages of Social-Emotional
5. Erikson (2/7)
6. Jean Piaget (1896 -1980)
7. Cognitive Development Stages
​

8. Piaget's Stages of Development
9. Jean Piaget (3/7)
10. Maria Montessori (1870-1952)
11. Montessori Classroom 
12. Maria Montessori (4/7)
13. Reggio Emilia Approach
14. Reggio Emilia Early Childhood 
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15. Lev Vygotsky (1896-1934)
16. Kohlberg’s Stages 
17. Reflect - Theorists (5/7)
18. DAP
19. DAP  (6/7)
20. End of Course Assessment (7/7)
21. End of Course Evaluation
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