Which theory describes moral reasoning development in a series of levels and stages?

Which theory describes moral reasoning development in a series of levels and stages?

• A. Bandura's Social Cognitive Theory
• B. Erikson's Psychosocial Theory
• C. Kohlberg's Theory of Moral Development
• D. Piaget's Cognitive Theory

Answer: (C)

Moral reasoning develops through levels and stages described by Kohlberg's Theory of Moral Development. This framework sees reasoning about right and wrong evolve in a fixed sequence, not just in changes of behavior. There are three levels. The first is preconventional morality, where judgments are based on personal consequences—avoiding punishment or seeking rewards. The second is conventional morality, where reasoning centers on conforming to social rules and maintaining harmony or approval from others. The third is postconventional morality, where people evaluate actions against universal ethical principles, sometimes independent of laws or social expectations. Within each level there are two stages, making a total of six. Early stages focus on obedience and self-interest, then shift to conforming with social expectations, and finally to principles like justice and human rights. This progression describes how the justifications for decisions become more abstract and principled over time. Other theories address different ideas: for example, some explain how people learn behaviors through observation and self-e beliefs, while others describe psychosocial development across life stages or general cognitive growth. Kohlberg’s theory is the one that specifically maps moral reasoning to a staged progression.

Moral reasoning develops through levels and stages described by Kohlberg's Theory of Moral Development. This framework sees reasoning about right and wrong evolve in a fixed sequence, not just in changes of behavior.

There are three levels. The first is preconventional morality, where judgments are based on personal consequences—avoiding punishment or seeking rewards. The second is conventional morality, where reasoning centers on conforming to social rules and maintaining harmony or approval from others. The third is postconventional morality, where people evaluate actions against universal ethical principles, sometimes independent of laws or social expectations.

Within each level there are two stages, making a total of six. Early stages focus on obedience and self-interest, then shift to conforming with social expectations, and finally to principles like justice and human rights. This progression describes how the justifications for decisions become more abstract and principled over time.

Other theories address different ideas: for example, some explain how people learn behaviors through observation and self-e beliefs, while others describe psychosocial development across life stages or general cognitive growth. Kohlberg’s theory is the one that specifically maps moral reasoning to a staged progression.