Forensic Psychology - Week 2: Kohlberg’s 6 Stages of Moral Development

Kohlberg's Stages of Moral Development

• Stage 1: Obedience and Punishment: Focuses on avoiding punishment and obeying authority figures.
• Stage 2: Individualism and Instrumentalism: Individuals consider their own needs and interests while recognizing that others have different interests.
• Stage 3: Interpersonal Relationships and Conformity: Emphasizes interpersonal relationships, empathy, and maintaining social order.
• Stage 4: Law and Order: Characterized by individuals conforming to societal norms and seeking approval from others.
• Stage 5: Social Contract and Individual Rights: Recognizes the importance of social contracts and the need for a balance between individual rights and societal rules.
• Stage 6: Universal Ethical Principles: Involves a strong adherence to universal ethical principles and values, such as justice, equality, and respect for human dignity.

Relationship Between Cognitive Development and Moral Reasoning

• Cognitive development and moral reasoning are closely linked, with moral reasoning advancing as cognitive abilities develop.

Assessing Moral Reasoning

• Kohlberg used the Moral Judgment Interview to assess individuals' moral reasoning and determine their stage of development.

Key Features of Kohlberg's Theory

• Progressive and Hierarchical: Moral development progresses through a series of stages, with each stage building on the previous one.
• Influenced by Experiences and Environment: Moral development can be influenced by experiences and environment.

The Heinz Dilemma

• A moral dilemma often used in discussions of ethical development.
• Scenario: Heinz's wife is dying from a specific type of cancer, and the druggist who invented the drug is charging five times the cost of manufacturing it.
• Heinz's Decision: Heinz breaks into the druggist's laboratory and steals the drug to save his wife's life.

Lawrence Kohlberg

• A psychologist known for his theory of moral development.