Moral Development Theory

Moral Development Theory, primarily proposed by psychologist Lawrence Kohlberg, outlines how individuals develop their understanding of morality over time. It progresses through three main levels: pre-conventional (focused on avoiding punishment and seeking rewards), conventional (adhering to social rules and gaining approval), and post-conventional (recognizing universal ethical principles). Each level consists of stages that reflect increasing complexity in moral reasoning. This theory emphasizes that moral understanding evolves through experiences and cognitive growth, suggesting that as people encounter moral dilemmas, they develop more sophisticated reasoning about right and wrong.