PART 2: ADDRESSING MORALITY IN OUR SCHOOLS - KOHLBERGS 6 LEVELS OF MORAL REASONING

Lawrence Kohlberg (1984) research was not focused on behaviors, but in the subjects’ reasoning behind their behaviors. From this he developed his theory of moral development. This theory describes six stages of moral reasoning at three different levels.

I. Pre-Conventional Level

Stage 1 - Punishment.

Stage 2 - Rewards.

II. Conventional Level

Stage 3 - Social Approval.

Stage 4 - The Law.

III. Post-Conventional Level

Stage 5 - Social Contract.

Stage 6 - Universal Principle.