Kohlberg's theory of moral development is a psychological theory that explains how individuals develop their moral reasoning through stages, from a focus on self-interest to consideration of universal ethical principles.
Kohlberg's theory is rooted in cognitive-developmental psychology, positing that moral reasoning develops in stages as individuals mature intellectually and interact with their environment.
Kohlberg built on Piaget's work, formulating his theory through a longitudinal study using moral dilemmas (e.g., the Heinz dilemma). His findings suggest moral reasoning progresses through three levelsStudy and Research Findings: pre-conventional, conventional, and post-conventional.