Final answer:
Lawrence Kohlberg developed a key theory of moral development with three levels: preconventional, conventional, and postconventional. His work assesses moral reasoning through stages using moral dilemmas such as the Heinz dilemma, which contributed substantially to the field of moral psychology.
Step-by-step explanation:
Lawrence Kohlberg's Theory of Moral Development
Lawrence Kohlberg's theory of moral development is a seminal framework for understanding how individuals progress in their understanding of morality. Kohlberg posited three main levels of moral reasoning: preconventional, conventional, and post-conventional.
Each of these levels signifies an evolution in the cognitive processing of moral issues, moving from simple to complex ethical considerations.
In the preconventional stage, typically before age 9, children tend to think of morality in terms of what is punished or rewarded. The conventional stage occurs in early adolescence, where societal norms and the expectations of others become important in moral reasoning.
Finally, the postconventional stage, which is attained after formal operational thought is achieved, involves abstract thinking about moral principles and recognizes that legality may differ from morality.
According to Kohlberg, few individuals reach this highest stage fully, where they would value principles such as human rights above specific laws or social orders.
Kohlberg conducted studies using moral dilemmas, such as the famous Heinz dilemma, to assess the moral reasoning of subjects. His work is pivotal in moral psychology and contributes significantly to understanding human socialization and the development of ethical beliefs.