Biography about lawrence kohlbergs theory of moral development was strongly influenced by

How we learn to tell right from wrong. Kendra Cherry, MS, is a psychosocial rehabilitation specialist, psychology educator, and author of the "Everything Psychology Book.

Kohlberg's six stages of moral development

How do kids develop a sense of right and wrong? Have you ever wondered why some people stand up for what's right while others struggle to make good choices? Psychologist Lawrence Kohlberg had the same questions, leading him to develop a theory of moral development that focuses on how children develop morality and ethical reasoning.

This theory suggests that moral development occurs in six stages and that moral logic primarily focuses on seeking and maintaining justice. The early stages focused on obeying authority, while later stages centered more on relationships and social order. In the final stages, people base moral decisions on social contracts, individual rights, and universal principles.

Moral development is the process by which people develop the distinction between right and wrong morality and engage in reasoning between the two moral reasoning. How do people develop morality? This question has fascinated parents, religious leaders, and philosophers for ages, but moral development has also become a hot-button issue in psychology and education.