Stages of Moral Development

Stages of Moral Development

According to Lawrence Kohlberg, moral development is a process that occurs in distinct stages. The first phase is the pre-conventional level. This level has two distinct stages including the obedience and instrumental purpose stages. At the obedience stage, individuals conform to certain behaviors in order to avoid potential punishments (Trevino, 2007). The conventional phase serves as the second level of moral development. In this level, individuals conform to the stereotypical conducts as well as social norms.

The third level of ethics development encompasses the post-conventional phase. In this level, individuals conform to personal principles and values (Trevino, 2007). This indicates that there are unique stages of moral development for all individuals. Whereas some individuals conform to the post-conventional values, others conform to conventional principles of ethics.At a personal level, an excellent example of a moral dilemma is the use of bribes to secure a job. For such a moral dilemma, the conventional stage of moral development will apply. In the society, it is fundamentally unethical to give or receive bribes. Although employment is a massive priority, corruption is morally impermissible in the society. At the pre-convention stage, this behavior might be acceptable.

Reference

Trevino, L. & Nelson, K. (2007). Deciding what is right: A psychological approach. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons

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