Kohlberg’s Theory of Development is associated with
2013
Kohlberg’s Theory of Development is associated with
- A.
Language Development
- B.
Cognitive Development
- C.
Moral Development
- D.
Social Development
Attempted by 17 students.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C
Concept: Lawrence Kohlberg developed a stage theory of moral development (building on Piaget's work), describing three levels – pre-conventional, conventional, and post-conventional – each with two stages, that trace how a person's moral reasoning (judgments of right and wrong) matures with age.
Application: The question asks which developmental domain Kohlberg's theory belongs to. Kohlberg used moral dilemmas (such as the Heinz dilemma) to study how reasoning shifts from an obedience-and-punishment orientation, through a law-and-order orientation, and further through a social-contract orientation, to a universal ethical-principle orientation as a person matures. This progression of ethical reasoning IS moral development, so Kohlberg's theory is classified under Moral Development.
Cross-check: Contrasting with the adjacent developmental domains confirms this:
Cognitive Development (Piaget's stages – sensorimotor, preoperational, concrete operational, formal operational) describes how thinking and reasoning ability mature in general, not moral judgment.
Language Development (Chomsky, Vygotsky) describes how vocabulary, syntax, and communication are acquired.
Social Development (Bandura's social learning theory, Erikson's psychosocial stages) describes peer relationships and social behaviour.
Moral Development – Kohlberg's own three-level, six-stage framework specifically traces how moral reasoning matures, confirming this classification.