Final answer:
Kohlberg's theory of moral development defines three levels of morality: pre-conventional, conventional, and post-conventional, reflecting increasingly complex stages of moral reasoning that correspond with a person's cognitive and social maturity.
Step-by-step explanation:
Lawrence Kohlberg's Levels of Moral Development
Lawrence Kohlberg's theory of moral development is a framework that attempts to understand the progression of human morality throughout different stages of life. According to Kohlberg, this development occurs in three main levels: pre-conventional, conventional, and post-conventional. Each level represents increasingly complex stages of moral reasoning and is part of the socialization process, as they reflect the norms and values considered "good" by society.
During the pre-conventional stage, typically before age 9, morality is judged by direct consequences to oneself. It is essentially about avoiding punishment and seeking personal gain. When individuals reach the conventional stage, often in early adolescence, their moral reasoning is based on societal norms and the need to uphold laws and rules. Lastly, the post-conventional stage, which few fully achieve and is often reached only after formal operational thought has been attained, involves a higher level of ethical thinking that can sometimes transcend laws when they conflict with universal human rights or personal moral principles.
Kohlberg's research highlighted that moral development is deeply interconnected with cognitive growth and social influences. He used moral dilemmas, like the well-known Heinz dilemma, to study reasoning patterns. Critics, like Carol Gilligan, suggested that Kohlberg's theory did not account for gender differences in moral development. However, Kohlberg's work remains significant in the fields of psychology, education, and moral philosophy.