Lawrence Kohlberg, American psychologist and academic (b. 1927)

Lawrence Kohlberg (October 25, 1927 – January 19, 1987) was a preeminent American psychologist, widely recognized for his groundbreaking theory detailing the stages of moral development. This influential framework provided a systematic understanding of how individuals progress in their capacity for ethical reasoning throughout their lives.

Kohlberg held esteemed academic positions, serving as a distinguished professor within the Psychology Department at the University of Chicago and subsequently at the Graduate School of Education at Harvard University. His decision to delve into the intricate topic of moral judgment was notably pioneering for his era. At a time when behaviorism often dominated psychological inquiry, Kohlberg embarked on the study of complex internal cognitive processes, a path considered less conventional.

His work significantly extended the foundational insights into children's moral development that Swiss psychologist Jean Piaget had articulated approximately twenty-five years earlier. While Piaget identified distinct phases in children's moral thinking, Kohlberg expanded this scope considerably, proposing a more comprehensive sequence of stages that applied beyond childhood, reaching into adolescence and adulthood. Crucially, Kohlberg focused not merely on the moral choices made, but on the underlying reasoning and justifications individuals employed, thereby enriching the understanding of ethical evolution. Despite the depth and novelty of his ideas, it took Kohlberg five years of dedicated effort before he was able to publish his initial, seminal article based on his views.

Beyond Piaget, Kohlberg’s theoretical constructs were also deeply informed by the philosophical contributions of other intellectual giants. His work reflected and built upon the theories of George Herbert Mead, whose emphasis on social interaction and the development of the self through role-taking offered insights into the social dimension of morality, and James Mark Baldwin, an early proponent of stage theories in cognitive and social development, whose ideas on genetic epistemology provided a conceptual precursor. Drawing from these diverse influences, Kohlberg was instrumental in carving out and solidifying a completely new, distinct field within psychology: "moral development." This established a dedicated area for the systematic study of how individuals acquire, internalize, and refine their moral principles and decision-making capacities.

The profound and lasting impact of Lawrence Kohlberg's contributions is underscored by his significant professional recognition. In an extensive empirical study conducted to assess the eminence of 20th-century psychologists, which utilized six rigorous criteria including citation frequency and overall professional acknowledgment, Kohlberg was ranked as the 30th most influential psychologist of his time. This accolade highlights his pivotal role in shaping developmental psychology, educational theory, and the broader understanding of human ethical reasoning.

Frequently Asked Questions About Lawrence Kohlberg

What is Lawrence Kohlberg best known for?

Lawrence Kohlberg is primarily renowned for his theory of stages of moral development, which provides a structured framework outlining how individuals progress through different levels of ethical reasoning, from simple obedience to abstract universal principles.

How did Kohlberg's work build upon Jean Piaget's theories?

Kohlberg significantly extended Jean Piaget's foundational work on children's moral development by proposing a more detailed and comprehensive series of stages that apply across the lifespan, focusing on the sophisticated reasoning behind moral judgments rather than just the observable behaviors or simple rules.

What other key thinkers influenced Lawrence Kohlberg's theory of moral development?

In addition to Jean Piaget, Kohlberg's intellectual framework was influenced by the philosophical insights of George Herbert Mead, particularly his ideas on social interaction and the development of the self, and James Mark Baldwin, known for his pioneering stage theories in cognitive and social development.

Why was Kohlberg's study of moral judgment considered unusual for his time?

During the mid-20th century, the dominant psychological paradigm, behaviorism, focused heavily on observable behaviors. Studying abstract, internal cognitive processes like moral judgment was considered less conventional, making Kohlberg's pioneering work in this area particularly innovative and challenging to establish.

What new field within psychology did Lawrence Kohlberg effectively establish?

Lawrence Kohlberg is widely credited with establishing and formalizing "moral development" as a distinct and legitimate field of study within psychology, providing a structured approach for its systematic investigation.