Final answer:
Lawrence Kohlberg taught that good ethical judgments require age-appropriate cognitive functions, as outlined in his theory of moral development, which progresses through preconventional, conventional, and postconventional stages.
Step-by-step explanation:
Lawrence Kohlberg, a developmental psychologist, proposed that good ethical judgments require age-appropriate cognitive functions. Kohlberg's theory of moral development consists of three main levels: preconventional, conventional, and postconventional. Each level corresponds to a different stage in cognitive development, reflecting the changes in the way individuals reason about ethical dilemmas and moral issues as they grow. Kohlberg's work built on the foundation laid by Jean Piaget, who first explored the stages of cognitive development in children, showing how their thinking evolves from concrete to abstract reasoning. For example, in the preconventional stage which occurs in young children, morality is largely driven by obedience to authority and the desire to avoid punishment. In the conventional stage, which typically begins in the teen years, there is a greater understanding of social norms and a focus on conforming to those norms and maintaining social relationships. Lastly, in the postconventional stage, individuals start to think more abstractly about morality and question whether laws or societal rules are just, recognizing that ethical principles may transcend local rules or laws. Ethical decisions are influenced not only by cognitive development but also by the social and cultural context, as indicated in the sociocultural theory of development proposed by Lev Vygotsky. Hence, moral development is a complex process influenced by both cognitive growth and the surrounding environment in which an individual is raised.