My Hidden Love for Kohlberg's Theory
6.08.2011
Back in high school I took to reading about here Dr. Lawrence Kohlberg, who created a theory of several moral stages in which a human individual is supposed to evolve through. I remember reading this and instantly wanted to talk to my former English teacher about it, Mr. Lutz. He told me that this was a hidden but obvious concept in the way society works and many follow lesser stages due to closeted mindsets. You see, this man Kohlberg, like any other followed his path through university focusing on psychology then taking interest on Piaget's stages of morality which he adapted to test and develop from then. While many rely on the age and intelligence of the individual, it is safe to see the correlation between these stages and many social groups.
Kohlberg's Method included scenarios and wanted not a yes or no answer but rather, the reasoning behind the answer.
KOHLBERG'S MORAL STAGES
1.Obedience and Punishment Orientation-doing something because of fear from punishment or proving that disobedience is wrong and should not be done again. Basically this is the stage of "How not to get punished, period."
2. Individualism and Exchange- doing something for the want of something in return, the "What's in it for me?" mentality. The fact is that many people today won't do much to help others unless there is a reward involved.
3. Good Interpersonal Image-doing something because it portrays a nice image in front of everyone else. Applying the set of restrictions to oneself in order to fit in or not stand out attracting wrong attention. using golden rules to create good images. American companies use this all the time by saying "Made in America" or when talking about politicians "Family man with good values that served in the military." While it might be true, these qualities don't attribute dense values to actual workability.
4. Maintaining Social Order- doing something because that's what the rules say. Following the laws in cities is a major component of this stage, we are required to follow this and reside on it most of the time.Done in order to keep the functionality of society.
5. Social Contract Driven-doing something for the overall good of society. Unlike stage 4, sometimes laws don't have in best a value for all of society, there are flaws in rules. This stage focuses on the rights as individuals that are accepted and therefore placed in mind, disregarding differences. Although, majorities will take the lead over minorities when dealing with issues, such as democratic governments.
6. Universal Principles-doing something towards the visualization of a good society. Having only lawful thinking as long as they rely on fair ground, placing oneself in another one's shoes: "abstract thinking." Opening up the mind to visualize the greater society. Basing it on personal ethics rather than taught ethics and pushed ones. Here one can basically base it on pure experience from past stages until reaching this point when you don't do things for other reasons.
There are examples in the world that everyday we miss, but if we look closer we know we are dealing with children who have learned how to behave in public, not adults who know best.
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