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Lawrence Kohlberg's theory

Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated August 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 examWritten by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated August 2025

Definition

Lawrence Kohlberg's theory is a stage-based model of moral development that suggests individuals progress through six stages, each characterized by different reasoning abilities and ethical perspectives.

Theoretical Perspectives

Lawrence Kohlberg's theory of moral development posits that individuals progress through a series of stages where they reason about ethics and morality in increasingly complex ways, influenced by cognitive development.

Study And Research Findings

Kohlberg's theory was developed based on his 1958 dissertation research, which involved presenting boys with moral dilemmas (e.g., the Heinz dilemma) and analyzing their reasoning behind their judgments.

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