Importance of Kohlberg’s Theory of Moral Development in Teaching 

Back to: Learning and Teaching – Unit 1

Who was Lawrence Kohlberg?

Lawrence Kohlberg was a Jewish American psychologist who researched on moral education and reasoning. He is renowned for his stages of moral development theory. He is regarded as one of twentieth century’s most prominent psychologists.

Meaning of Moral Development

Moral development refers to the gradual development of an individual’s concept of wrong or right, religious values, conscience, social attitudes, and behavior. Kohlberg’s moral development includes three levels, namely the post-conventional, conventional, and preconventional level, which are divided into six stages.

The importance of Kohlberg’s theory in Teaching

The importance of Kohlberg’s theory of moral development in teaching is as follows:

1. It enables teachers to understand the different levels of moral understanding of learners.
2. It enables teachers to give proper guidance to students about their moral behavior.
3. It allows teachers to help learners respect others and develop feelings of cooperation for others.
4. It helps teachers to develop and promote good moral values in children so that they can become the best version of themselves.
5. It promotes a constructive and positive learning environment where the growth of children is fostered.
6. It helps children achieve optimal moral values so that they can become responsible members of society.
7. It prevents children from going the wrong way and helps them make right decisions which are good for them.

The Important Parts of Kohlberg’s Theory

Kohlberg’s theory of moral development describes the development of moral reasoning in children and adolescents. According to Kohlberg, moral reasoning develops through a series of stages, each building on the previous one. The following are the important parts of Kohlberg’s theory regarding moral reasoning in children:

1. Preconventional level: At this level, children’s moral reasoning is based on avoiding punishment and seeking rewards. They see rules as fixed and absolute, and they obey them to avoid punishment.

2. Conventional level: At this level, children’s moral reasoning is based on conforming to the expectations of others and maintaining social order. They see rules as necessary for maintaining social order and obey them to gain approval and avoid disapproval.

3. Postconventional level: At this level, individuals develop a personal moral code that goes beyond social conventions and laws. They see rules as flexible and open to interpretation, and they are willing to disobey them if they conflict with their personal moral values.

Stages of Moral Development

Kohlberg also identified six stages of moral development that correspond to these three levels. The stages are:

1. Stage 1: Obedience and punishment orientation

2. Stage 2: Individualism and exchange

3. Stage 3: Interpersonal relationships

4. Stage 4: Maintaining social order

5. Stage 5: Social contract and individual rights

6. Stage 6: Universal principles

Overall, Kohlberg’s theory emphasizes the importance of moral reasoning in the development of ethical behavior and emphasizes that moral reasoning is a continuous process that develops throughout a person’s lifetime.

The importance of kohlbergs theory in Teaching:

1.It enables teachers to understand the different levels of moral understanding of learners.

2.It enables teachers to give proper guidance to students about their moral behaviour.

3.It allows the teachers to help learners respect others and develop feeling of corporation for others.

4.It helps teachers to develop and promote good moral values in children so that they can become the best version of themselves.

5.It promotes constructive and positive learning environment where the growth of children is fostered

6.It helps children achieve optimal moral values so that they can become responsible members of society.

7.It prevents chulreny from going the wrong way and helps them make right decisions which are good for them

Conclusion:

Kohlbergs moral development theory helps people to avoid acting on their urges and help them decide what is rgt and wht is wrong. Kohlberg’s moral development theory helps people to avoid acting on their urges and helps them decide what is right and what is wrong. The most important critique of Kohlberg’s theory is that it emphasizes justice without incorporating compassion and other moral considerations, and in doing so might describe the moral development of males better than it describes that of females (who were not represented in Kohlberg’s initial research).