Kohlberg’s 6 Stages of Cognitive Moral Development and Model Suggestions

Kohlberg’s 6 Stages of Cognitive Moral Development and Model Suggestions.

        Different people make different decisions about ethical decisions based on what stage of the Cognitive Moral Development model they are in. The following are the 6 stages used in Kohlberg’s model. Stage 1 is normally associated with children but has been evident in adult behavior. A person in this stage defines right as literal obedience to rules and authority and responds to rules and labels as either good or bad in terms of physical power of the person who determined the rule. Stage 2 defines right as that which serves his or her own needs and no longer makes moral decisions a based on rules and authority, Instead in this stage moral decisions are based on fairness to him or her with the mindset of “You scratch my back and I’ll scratch yours.” The third stage stresses the conformity of other people’s interest rather than their own. Ethical motivation is still derived from obedience and rules but differs from stage 2 because of fairness to others. Stage 4 determines what is right through his or her duty to society. The focal points of this stage is conformity of duty, respect for authority and maintenance of order. In Stage 5, a person is concerned with upholding the basic rights, values and legal contracts of society.  People in this stage need to feel a sense of commitment to other groups and social contracts and understand that moral points of views may differ therefore; they will carefully calculate the overall utility in order to reduce conflict while making decisions. Stage 6 is the final stage of Kohlberg’s Cognitive Model in which right is determined by a person’s belief of universal ethical principles that everyone should follow.

        In conclusion Kohlberg’s model suggest 3 levels of ethical concern. One, A person’s level of moral development influences their perception and responses to ethical decisions. Second, people change their decisions beyond their formative years. Third, in the context of business a person can be influenced by corporate culture and ethics training.