Lawrence Kohlberg
Jenna Kofsky
Education
Graduated from Phillips Academy in Andover, MA, in 1945
Enrolled at the University of Chicago, and earned a Bachelor's degree in Psychology in less than a year (1948)
Graduated with a Ph.D. in Psychology in 1958
Work Experience
Served as a U.S. Merchant Marine
Assistant Professor of Psychology at Yale University (1958-1961)
Worked in the Center for Advanced Study in the Behavioral Sciences, in Palo Ato, CA. (1961-1962)
Worked in the Psychology Department of the University of Chicago as an assistant, associate Professor of Psychology and Human Development (1962-1967)
Professor of Education and Social Psychology/ Harvard Graduate School of Education (1968-death)
Background Info
Lawrence was born on October 25th, 1927
Married Lucy Stigberg in 1955, had two sons
Suffered with severe depression, and eventually committed suicide in 1955
He died at the age of 59
Married Lucy Stigberg in 1955, had two sons
Suffered with severe depression, and eventually committed suicide in 1955
He died at the age of 59
Psychological Perspective/Theory
Believed in the stages of Moral Development- Tried to explain the development of Moral Reasoning/ This was influenced by the Swiss Psychologist Jean Piaget's stage based theory of Moral Development
Moral Development has three levels and six stages:
Pre-Conventional Morality
Stage One- Obedience and punishment
Stage Two- Individualism and exchange
Conventional Morality
Stage Three- Maintaining interpersonal relationships
Stage Four- Law and Order
Post-Conventional Morality
Stage Five- Social Contract
Stage Six- Universal Principles
Lawrence believed that the purpose of education should be to nurture and develop minds, especially in young children
Significant Accomplishments
Area of interest created a new field of Psychology known as Moral Development
Work raised issues of justice, cross-cultural universality of moral judgement, moral education, and the relationship between moral judgement and action.
Wrote- Child Psychology and Childhood Education: A Cognitive Developmental View
Work raised issues of justice, cross-cultural universality of moral judgement, moral education, and the relationship between moral judgement and action.
Wrote- Child Psychology and Childhood Education: A Cognitive Developmental View
Lawrence Kohlberg Psychologist of Morality