Final answer:
Kohlberg's theory of moral development includes pre-conventional, conventional, and post-conventional levels. The pre-conventional level is motivated by avoidance of punishment and personal gain, the conventional level by social approval and adherence to laws, and the post-conventional level by personal ethical principles and recognition of the distinction between legality and morality.
Step-by-step explanation:
Lawrence Kohlberg's theory of moral development consists of three levels: pre-conventional, conventional, and post-conventional. Each level is associated with a particular motivation for behavior.
- Pre-conventional level: This is the most basic level of moral development, where behavior is driven by the desire to avoid punishment and achieve personal gains. Typically found in children, morality is developed by pain and pleasure.
- Conventional level: In this intermediate level, individuals are motivated by the desire to uphold laws and to gain social approval by adhering to the expectations of others. Here, children begin to consider what society views as moral and immoral. This corresponds with early adolescence.
- Post-conventional level: This is the advanced level of moral reasoning where abstract thinking is developed. Moral principles are guided by individual ethics and human rights, rather than by obedience to authority or conformity to social rules. People at this stage recognize that legality and morality do not always overlap.
Although Kohlberg's theory provides a framework to understand the progression of moral reasoning, it is important to remember that moral behavior can be inconsistent with moral reasoning—individuals might not always 'walk the walk' even if they can 'talk the talk'.