Contents
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Description of Theory
Preconventional
Conventional
Postconventional
Which Level Are You? (Heinz Dilemma)
Practice
Lesson Assessment
Lawrence Kohlberg (1927-1987)
Morality is the system one uses to decide
what is right and wrong; how one’s
conscience affects choices. Lawrence
Kohlberg, a psychologist, explored what
motivates individuals to act the way they
do. He then devised a theory about how
people change their views of what’s right
and wrong as they grow.
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Stages of Moral Development
He creates six stages of moral development
divided into three levels.
Level 1:
Preconventional
What Is Good for Self
Reward & Punishment
Usually young children, Very selfish
Stage I:
Reward/Punishment
• Acts to avoid pain or
punishment
• Wants to not get
spanked or get a
“time out”
Stage II:
Reciprocity
• Acts to get a reward
• Wants to get a hug or
a piece of candy or
back scratch
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Level 2:
Conventional
What Is Good for Others
Majority of adults; Conform to
expectations and are usually loyal
Stage III:
Conformity
• Acts to gain approval; conforms
• Wants to be a “good girl/boy”; wants others to
see as nice
Stage IV:
Law & Order
• Acts because of belief in the law and order
• Wants society to be orderly and understands
duty/respect for authority
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Level 3:
Postconventional
What Is Universally Good
Minority of adults;
Define moral values on own values
(do not rely on authority’s definition)
Stage V:
Principles of Justice
• Acts for the welfare of
others
• Wants other people to
be safe and happy;
willing to change law
if necessary
Stage VI:
Morality of Christian Love/Agape
• Acts because of her/his own conscience/set of
beliefs
• Wants all human beings to be respected for their
dignity, believes in justice and equality; will
disregard law if necessary
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Which level are you?
Read the Heinz dilemma to find
out…
Heinz’ wife was near death. There was one
drug on the planet that could save her, and it
was only sold in Heinz’ hometown. The druggist
who was selling it, however, was charging ten
times what it cost to make the drug. Heinz
couldn’t afford the drug. He tried borrowing
money from his friends and family, and could
only come up with half of the cost of the drug.
He explained his problem to the druggist, but the
druggist refused to sell him the drug for less
money, and he also refused to let Heinz pay the
second half later. Heinz decided that he had to
steal the drug.
Should Heinz have stolen the
drug?
A. YES
B. NO
Because…
A. he would get in trouble from his family members for not getting help
B. he can risk his life if he thinks he can get away with it
C. no one will respect him if he lets her die
D. it’s his duty to his wife, he should pay later and accept the law’s
penalty
E. the law wasn’t meant to violate life, the law should be reinterpreted if
he is caught
F. if he didn’t steal it, he’d be putting another value above that of life;
respect for property should not be above the respect for life; there
shouldn’t be private property; it is everyone’s duty to help the dying
Because…
A. he would go to jail
B. it’s more risk than it’s worth
C. everyone will think he’s a criminal
D. because even though his natural duty is
to obey the law, it would create
violence/crime if every store owner were
charging excessive prices
You are…
Stage I: Reward/Punishment
• Acts to avoid pain or punishment
• Wants to not get spanked or get a “time
out”
On to Practice
You are…
Stage II: Reciprocity
• Acts to get a reward
• Wants to get a hug or a piece of candy or
back scratch
On to Practice
You are…
Stage III: Conformity
• Acts to gain approval
• Conforms
• Wants to be a “good girl/boy”
• Wants others to see as nice
On to Practice
You are…
Stage IV:Law & Order
• Acts because of belief in the law and order
• Wants society to be orderly and
understands duty/respect for authority
On to Practice
You are…
Stage V: Principles of Justice
• Acts for the welfare of others
• Wants other people to be safe and happy;
willing to change law if necessary
On to Practice
You are…
Stage VI: Morality of Christian Love/Agape
• Acts because of her/his own conscience/set of
beliefs
• Wants all human beings to be respected for their
dignity, believes in justice and equality; will
disregard law if necessary
On to Practice
Practice
Directions:
Choose the correct level of moral
reasoning for each example.
Example #1
If I make my neighbor a present and give it to
her, she’ll be very happy.
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
Stage 1: Reward/Punishment
Stage 2: Reciprocity
Stage 3: Conformity
Stage 4: Law and Order
Stage 5: Principles of Justice
Stage 6: Morality of Christian Love/Agape
Example #2
If I leave my bicycle in the middle of the front
yard, I will be punished.
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
Stage 1: Reward/Punishment
Stage 2: Reciprocity
Stage 3: Conformity
Stage 4: Law and Order
Stage 5: Principles of Justice
Stage 6: Morality of Christian Love/Agape
Example #3
In order to stay true to my personal code of
morals, I need to protest the dictatorship of the
government.
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
Stage 1: Reward/Punishment
Stage 2: Reciprocity
Stage 3: Conformity
Stage 4: Law and Order
Stage 5: Principles of Justice
Stage 6: Morality of Christian Love/Agape
Example #4
If I obey the speed limit, the roads will be safer
for everyone.
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
Stage 1: Reward/Punishment
Stage 2: Reciprocity
Stage 3: Conformity
Stage 4: Law and Order
Stage 5: Principles of Justice
Stage 6: Morality of Christian Love/Agape
Example #5
If I want to protest a government policy or
action, the Bill of Rights guarantees my
freedom to do so.
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
Stage 1: Reward/Punishment
Stage 2: Reciprocity
Stage 3: Conformity
Stage 4: Law and Order
Stage 5: Principles of Justice
Stage 6: Morality of Christian Love/Agape
Example #6
If I do the dishes for my father, he will take me
to the baseball game.
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
Stage 1: Reward/Punishment
Stage 2: Reciprocity
Stage 3: Conformity
Stage 4: Law and Order
Stage 5: Principles of Justice
Stage 6: Morality of Christian Love/Agape
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OR
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OR
On to lesson assessment
Lesson Assessment
• Click on the link below. Type answers, print,
and hand in.
It's a Dilemma.doc
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