Kohlberg's theory of moral development is really interesting and gets us thinking about how we understand right and wrong. He proposed that our sense of morality grows through six stages, which we can group into three main levels. Let’s break it down simply:

Level 1: Pre-conventional Morality

1. Stage 1: Obedience and Punishment

   • At this stage, people mainly focus on not getting into trouble. It’s a bit like saying, “I won’t do that because I’ll get punished.” This stage reminds me of little kids who follow rules just because they’re scared of what might happen if they don’t.

2. Stage 2: Individualism and Exchange

   • Here, kids start to think about what they can get out of a situation. It’s like asking, “If I do this, what’s in it for me?” Many young kids begin here, trading toys or favors. They realize that sometimes rules can be bent to get a better deal for themselves.

Level 2: Conventional Morality

3. Stage 3: Good Relationships

   • At this stage, the focus is on how people see us and trying to be a good friend or family member. We try to meet social expectations, wanting approval from those around us. I think a lot of us can relate to wanting to be nice and helpful to fit in with our friends and family.

4. Stage 4: Maintaining Social Order

   • Here, people start to care more about the laws and rules that keep society running smoothly. It’s like thinking, “If everyone just did whatever they wanted, it would cause chaos!” Many adults feel this way, believing laws are important for the good of everyone, not just for individual gain.

Level 3: Post-conventional Morality

5. Stage 5: Social Contract and Individual Rights

   • In this stage, people begin to understand that laws are meant to help everyone. They start asking questions about laws that might hurt others. This is similar to how activists work—they challenge rules when they see something unfair happening.

6. Stage 6: Universal Principles

   • The highest stage is about following personal beliefs that are fair and just, like equality and dignity for all.Here, people follow their own strong sense of right and wrong, even if it goes against the law. This stage is really inspiring because it shows how people can think deeply about moral issues beyond just their own culture or rules.

Looking at these stages, I see that different people can be in different places depending on what’s happening around them. Kohlberg also thought that very few people actually reach Stage 6 in their lives, which makes us think about how we understand moral behavior in our society.

Overall, Kohlberg’s stages remind us that figuring out what’s right and wrong is a journey. Not everyone will fit neatly into these stages, and our views can change as we go through life. It’s a complex part of growing as a person that is always worth exploring!