Kohlberg's Stages of Development

Psychologist Lawrence Kohlberg pinpointed several stages we go through in terms of cognitive development. These stages are broken into well organized levels. In contrast to other developmental theories, specific ages are not tied to the stages.

During the preconventional level, children learn about right and wrong, and good and bad. These labels are tied to rewards or punishments, and those who have the power to give them out.

Kohlberg's preconventional level has three stages. The egocentric judgement stage occurs when children make decisions based solely on how actions will affect them.

The punishment and obedience orientation stage is marked by a child learning that there are physical consequences to their actions. Their actions are guided by avoiding punishment rather than respecting authority.

During the instrumental relativist orientation stage, children consider their own needs when making decisions. They begin to learn reciprocity, although it is not really tied to loyalty or gratitude.

After the above stages have been experienced, the child moves into the conventional level. During this phase, maintaining the expectations of others is learned. Children begin to not just conform to expectations, but actively maintain them and become loyal to them.

According to Kohlberg, two stages occur within this level. The first involves interpersonal concordance. Good behavior is defined by what will help or please another. Good intentions begin to mean something.

Children then move on to the law and order stage. Learning about duty, respecting authority, and social order happen during this stage.

After the stages within levels one and two have been completed, Kohlberg believes the individual then goes into stage three: the post-conventional stage. In this stage, efforts are made to define moral values and principles.