What is Your Stage of Moral Development?

This stage is in Kohlberg's first level of moral development, known as Preconventional Morality. Moral choices are made to avoid punishment. Choices that are worthy of punishment are bad without a sense of relativity to the context of the behavior. The consequence of the action outside of the self is of lesser consideration.

This stage is in Kohlberg's first level of moral development, known as Preconventional Morality. Moral behaviors are seen as a social exchange. Ethical behaviors are made by evaluating the punishment vs. the perceived reward. Self-interest is a key feature at this stage. Justification for the behavior is made by the need of the actor. If one's need is seen as more right than the consequence of the action to another, the behavior is justified.

This stage is in Kohlberg's second level of moral development, known as Conventional Morality. Most adults operate from this level of moral development. Morality is viewed in a way that takes one's perception of his or her circle of influence into account. Expectations of what is considered "good" behavior to family or the community circle become important in evaluating moral decisions.

This stage is in Kohlberg's second level of moral development, known as Conventional Morality. Most adults operate from this level of moral development. Morality is seen as a social contract with the purpose of maintaining social order. Moral choices are made to keep the world generally organized in patterns of expectation. The focus is much more on society than the individual. This stage is in Kohlberg's second level of moral development, known as Conventional Morality.

This stage is in Kohlberg's third level of moral development, known as Postconventional Morality. Kohlberg felt that most people do not reach this more enlightened level of morality. This stage of moral development looks beyond the simpler idea of societal order toward the concept of societal well-being, which considers the rights and values of all society members, even those from a different cultural perspective. It is difficult to distinguish between those at level 5 and 6. A key difference is the unwavering ability to defend these principles of justice and equality in the face of a society and laws that do not conform to this personal set of moral guidelines. A distinguishing point between such a person and another who staunchly defends his or her moral guidelines at a conventional level is focus on the the protection of humanity vs self protection (or group protection).

This stage is in Kohlberg's third level of moral development, known as Postconventional Morality. Kohlberg felt that most people do not reach this more enlightened level of morality. Morality at stage 6 is conceptualized by respecting and treating ALL justly and impartially. All people are treated with dignity regardless of gender, race, nationality, spirituality, orientation, viewpoint, ability, age, etc.. All actors must be able to see a situation from the perspective of all others a moral decision would impact and no person shall be valued any less than any other. It is difficult to distinguish between those at level 5 and 6. A key difference is the unwavering intention to defend these principles of justice and equality in the face of a society and laws that do not conform to this personal set of moral guidelines. A distinguishing point between such a person and another who staunchly defends his or her moral guidelines at a conventional level is focus on the the protection of humanity vs self protection (or group protection).