Unit #4 – Morality and Ethics
HRE 40
Mr. Carney
Today…
 We will explore Kohlbergs theory of Moral Development.
 Make a chart in your notebooks similar to the following
format:
Stage #1 – Punishment /
Obediance
Practical Example:
Make your own – share with
your elbow partner
 As each stage is presented in this powerpoint presentation,
provide your own example.
Lawrence Kohlberg
 Was a developmental theorist / psychologist
 He developed a theory based on Jean Piaget work.
 Kohlberg outlined a series of ‘predictable stages’ pertaining
to ones own moral development.
 Kohlberg believed that once a stage has been reached, it is
unlikely that an individual will revert to a previous stage.
 He also believed that stages could not be ‘skipped’ …
 Individuals must pass through in this particular order.
Kohlberg - Stages of Moral
Development
 Stage #1 - Punishment and Obedience
 Stage #2 - Personal Reward / Personal Usefulness
 Stage #3 - Conforming to the will of the group
 Stage #4 – Law and Order
 Stage #5 - Social Contract
 Stage #6 - Personal Conscience
Stage 1 – Punishment and Obedience
 Good or bad is seen in terms of obeying authority and
avoiding punishment. Something is seen as okay as long as
the person isn’t caught and or punished. The consequences
to others aren’t as important as they’re not getting hurt. (As
a child, why did you do the things you were told to do? Why
did you NOT do what you were told was “wrong”?)
 Avoidance of punishment is the key motivation.
 The person submits to power and authority in order to avoid
punishment.
Your own notes…
 In your note books, provide one made up example of this
stage to help deepen your understanding.
Stage 2 – Personal Usefulness
 Right is what makes ME feel good; wrong is what makes me
feel bad or gives ME pain. If I am concerned about someone
else, it is only because of what I can get out of it. (If I’m nice
to you, you’ll be nice to me).
Your own notes…
 In your note books, provide one made up example of this
stage to help deepen your understanding.
Stage 3 – Conforming to the will of the
group
 Right or wrong depends on what makes other people happy
or unhappy. If “everybody does it” then it’s okay; if everyone
says it’s wrong, then it’s wrong for me too. This is the peer
pressure stage where moral decisions are made based on
what will cause others to accept or reject me.
Your own notes…
 In your note books, provide one made up example of this
stage to help deepen your understanding.
Stage 4 – Law and Order
 Right is what the law - or any legitimate authority – says is
right. For someone at this stage there is no room or need to
think or make an individual moral decision because it has
already been determined by “law”. (It must be alright
because my parents, peers, employers, teachers, etc. don’t
object).
Your own notes…
 In your note books, provide one made up example of this
stage to help deepen your understanding.
Stage 5 – Social Contract
 One goes beyond law and order or the approval of others.
Here, the individual believes that what is right is what is good
for the rest of society. The common good is the goal. Rules
are obeyed, not because of fear of punishment, but because
one sees these rules as necessary for the protection of the
rights of everyone.
Your own notes…
 In your note books, provide one made up example of this
stage to help deepen your understanding.
Stage 6 – Personal Conscience
 The highest level of moral development is the stage at which
one operates based on universal ethical principles – those
things upon which laws, rules and commandments are based.
At this stage one would be willing to risk punishment for an
act which he/she knows to be right in principle but which
others – maybe a whole society - may find wrong. The basis
for these principles is the welfare of ALL persons; the goal is
to bring about the GREATEST GOOD FOR ALL
HUMANITY.
Your own notes…
 In your note books, provide one made up example of this
stage to help deepen your understanding.
On your own…
 Please carefully examine the questions on the handout “Moral
Decision Making Worksheet”
 As consolidation to the learning today, identify the appropriate
stages according to Kohlberg’s theory of moral development
and state why you selected that stage.
 Please have this completed for homework.
 Also – read “Heinz’s dilemma”, and provide at least 2 options
that you feel Heinz has…
Just to recap…
 Today you have made your own examples of each of
Kohlberg’s stages
 You have completed the Moral Decision Making Worksheet
as a consolidation of the theory
 You have read “Heinz’s Dilemma” and provided two options
that you feel he has.