Lawrence Kohlberg Case
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Lawrence Kohlberg divided moral development into three levels, and each level into two stages. The first level is called the preconventional level; as infants start to grow up they go through a phase of development that is not yet moral, breaking this level down into two stages of reacting to punishment and their desire to receive a reward. The second level is the conventional level; a person reacts to the expectations to parents or peers. Conventional role-conformity, a reaction to peers, parents, or other similar persons or groups is the first stage and the second stage usually develops into conformity with the laws of ones society. Level three is the postconventional, autonomous, or principled level; a level of self accepted moral principles. The first stage is that of contract and individual rights, and finally able to give a rational defense of the moral principles that guide our actions. Which moral stage are you at?
After a long bumpy road of growing up, I have finally reached level three on Kohlbergs scale. I remember my first year of college I took psychology and I was struggling with level two. I knew right from wrong and what was expected of me but did not quite understand that you could question rules and laws that were embedded my entire life. I looked for answers but was not ready to deceive the morals my family had taught me. Looking back I realize that I was naive of having a voice of my own, knowing now it is ok not to agree with everyone. I find myself questioning my religion and the norms my parents taught me on a day to day basis. Currently rethinking all methods of parenting and knowing that if I do not want to vote how my family did, it is ok. I never thought I would question the president or governor because my parents always just went with the flow. I feel as if I have an opinion now and I do not have to agree with what everyone else says, I know right and wrong and will stand up for something I do not agree with.
I agree with the book when it says not everyone reaches level three, I can see that. In my opinion, most people just go with the flow. They do not realize that in life you have to question others and change the norms in your life to better yourself and your family. Kohlbergs level three separates the weak from the strong, the successful from the ordinary, the rich from the poor. There comes a time in your life when you have to choose a path and how you get there depends on your moral