Which of the following stage is NOT proposed by Lawrence Kohlberg in his theory of Moral reasoning?
1 Answers
Option 2 : Unconventional stage
Lawrence Kohlberg, an American psychologist, has propounded the 'Theory of Moral Development'.
- On the basis of children's responses to Heinz's dilemma, Lawrence Kohlberg has proposed specific developmental stages of Moral Development.
- He has made a systematic study of moral development in his theory that is categorized into 3 levels and 6 stages.
- He created moral development theory by posing moral dilemmas to groups of children as well as adolescents and adults.
- According to Kohlberg, moral dilemma is the thinking process involved in judgements about questions of right & wrong.
Refer to the table to be familiar with all the levels of Kohlberg's theory.
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Level 1: Pre-moral stage/Pre-conventional Morality |
Stage 1: The Obedience & Punishment Orientation - behaviour driven by avoiding punishment |
Stage 2: Individualism & exchange orientation- behaviour driven by self-interest and rewards |
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Level 2: Conventional Morality |
Stage 3: Good Boy - Nice Girl Orientation - behaviour driven by social approval |
Stage 4: The Law & Order Orientation: behaviour driven by obeying authority and conforming to social order |
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Level 3: Post-conventional Morality |
Stage 5: Social contract legalistic orientation: behaviour driven by a balance of social order and individual rights |
Stage 6: The Universal Ethical Principle Orientation: behaviour driven by internal moral principle. |
Let's Understand the Heinz Dilemma in Brief:
- The sick woman’s husband, Heinz, went to everyone he knew to borrow the money, but he could only get together about $1,000 which is half of what it cost.
- He told the druggist that his wife was dying and asked him to sell it cheaper or let him pay later. But the druggist said: “No, I discovered the drug and I’m going to make money from it.”
- So Heinz got desperate and broke into the man’s store to steal the drug for his wife. Should the husband have done that?
- Kohlberg is not really interested in whether the subject says “yes” or “no” to this dilemma but in the reasoning behind the answer.
- Kohlberg’s point of view, what the participant thinks Heinz should do is not important. The important thing is the justification of the action.
Hence, it becomes clear that the unconventional stage is NOT proposed by Lawrence Kohlberg in his theory of Moral reasoning.