This theory describes the different levels and stages of moral reasoning that individuals go through as they develop. It suggests that moral development is a process that occurs over time.
Lawrence Kohlberg's stages of moral development are grounded in cognitive-developmental theory, emphasizing that moral reasoning progresses through distinct stages as cognitive abilities mature.
Kohlberg's theory was developed through longitudinal studies using moral dilemmas (e.g., the Heinz dilemma), where he identified three levels of moral reasoningStudy and Research Findings: pre-conventional, conventional, and post-conventional, each with two sub-stages. His research highlighted that not everyone reaches the highest stages.