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Lawrence Kohlberg’s Theory of Moral Development

Kohlberg believed that moral development occurs in three levels, with six stages in total:

• Preconventional level (ages 4-10): At this level, children make moral decisions based on external rewards and punishments.
• Conventional level (ages 10-13): At this level, children make moral decisions based on social expectations and maintaining relationships.
• Postconventional level (ages 13+): At this level, children make moral decisions based on internal principles and abstract values.

Elliot Turiel’s Moral Domain Theory

Turiel believed that moral development is influenced by two factors:

• Moral domains: Turiel identified five moral domains: personal welfare, social welfare, justice, fairness, and convention.
• Moral standards: Moral standards are the principles that people use to make moral judgments.

Albert Bandura’s Theory of Moral Development through Social Learning

Bandura believed that moral development occurs through social learning. Children learn moral behavior by observing and imitating the people in their lives, such as their parents, teachers, and peers.

Similarities between Piaget’s Theory and Kohlberg’s Theory

Both Piaget’s theory and Kohlberg’s theory suggest that moral development occurs in stages. Both theories also suggest that children’s moral reasoning becomes more complex as they age.

Examples of the similarities between Piaget’s Theory and Kohlberg’s Theory:

• A child at the heteronomous stage of moral development might believe that it is wrong to steal because they will be punished if they get caught. A child at the preconventional level of moral development might also believe that it is wrong to steal because they will get caught.
• A child at the autonomous stage of moral development might believe that it is wrong to steal because it is unfair to the person who is being stolen from. A child at the conventional level of moral development might also believe that it is wrong to steal because it is against the law and against social norms.

Differences between Piaget’s Theory and Kohlberg’s Theory

One key difference between Piaget’s theory and Kohlberg’s theory is that Piaget believed that moral development was complete by adolescence, while Kohlberg believed that moral development could continue throughout adulthood.

Examples of the differences between Piaget’s Theory and Kohlberg’s Theory:

• A teenager at the autonomous stage of moral development might believe that it is wrong to lie, even if it means that they will get in trouble. A young adult at the postconventional level of moral development might also believe that it is wrong to lie, even if it means that they will have to stand up to a powerful person.
• A teenager who is stealing from their parents might be at the heteronomous stage of moral development. A young adult who is stealing from their employer might be at the preconventional level of moral development.

Alignment of Kohlberg’s Theory with a Biblical Worldview

Kohlberg’s theory of moral development aligns with a biblical worldview in a number of ways. First, the Bible teaches that morality is based on objective values, such as love, justice, and compassion. Kohlberg’s postconventional level of moral development reflects this biblical understanding of morality.

Second, the Bible teaches that people are responsible for their own moral choices. Kohlberg’s theory emphasizes the importance of individual moral autonomy.

Finally, the Bible teaches that people can grow in their moral character. Kohlberg’s theory suggests that moral development is a lifelong process.

Scripture that supports the alignment of Kohlberg’s Theory with a biblical worldview:

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22-23)

This scripture passage identifies a number of objective moral values, such as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and