Kohlberg's moral development stages are a six-stage theory of how children learn and develop a sense of morality. According to this theory, which was first proposed in the early 1960s by developmental psychologist Lawrence Kohlberg, children pass through six distinct stages as they mature.

1. Moral Development
Dr. Renjini U
Assistant Professor
PTM College of Education
University of Kerala

2.  Moral development is the process by which people develop the distinction
between right and wrong (morality) and engage in reasoning between the two
(moral reasoning).
 Morality is a code of conduct that guides our actions and thoughts
based on our background, culture, philosophy, or religious beliefs.
Moral development is a gradual change in the understanding of
morality.

3.  Kohlberg extended Piaget's theory, proposing that moral development is a
continual process that occurs throughout the lifespan. Kohlberg's theory
outlines six stages of moral development within three different levels.

4. Piaget's Theory of Moral Development
 Kohlberg's theory is an expansion of Piaget's theory of moral development.
Piaget described a three-stage process of moral development:10
• Stage 1: The child is more concerned with developing and mastering their
motor and social skills, with no general concern about morality.
• Stage 2: The child develops unconditional respect both for authority figures and
the rules in existence.
• Stage 3: The child starts to see rules as being arbitrary, also considering an
actor's intentions when judging whether an act or behavior is moral or immoral.

6. Stages of Moral Development
 Kohlberg's theory is broken down into three primary levels. At each level of
moral development, there are two stages. Similar to how Piaget believed that
not all people reach the highest levels of cognitive development, Kohlberg
believed not everyone progresses to the highest stages of moral development

7. Levels of M D Stages
PRECONVENTIONAL
Stage 1: Obedience and punishment
Avoiding Punishment: Moral
reasoning is based on direct
consequences.
Stage 2: Individualism and exchange Self-Interest: Actions are seen in
terms of rewards rather than moral
value.
CONVENTIONAL
Stage 3: Developing good interpersonal
relationships
Good boy attitude: Good behavior is
about living up to social expectations
and roles.
Stage 4: Maintaining social order Law & Order Morality: Moral
reasoning considers societal laws.
POSTCONVENTIONAL
Stage 5: Social contract and individual
rights
Social Contract: Rules are seen as
social agreements that can be
changed when necessary.
Universal Principles: Moral reasoning

8. Thank You