Analysis Of Kohlberg Moral Development Theory

Opinion 1: Theresa

Theresa based her opinion on the fact that the druggist will be charged with an unfair amount of money for a cheap drug and will not budge on the price. She feels the importance of getting the drug for Heinz’s wife outweighs what’s right or wrong. Theresa is the type of person that views the moral importance of a situation and makes the adjustments for personal gain. Based on the Kohlberg Moral Development theory, we can assume that Theresa falls under the post conventional level of development, which means her age ranges from 13 years and up (Dacey, 2009, p. 248).

This information was gathered based on Theresa’s’ conjecture about how Heinz should react and the basis being her own internalized moral standard, which falls

Instead, Jose thinks that Heinz should deter from stealing and understand that he needs to find another way to get the drug. After reading Jose’s opinion, we can conclude that his age ranges from 10 to 13 years old and falls under stage four. This conventional stage shows “that children are concerned with authority and maintaining the social order. Correct behavior is doing one’s duty (Dacey, 2009, p. 248).” Jose has a good head on his shoulders and seems to be the type of person that follows the law to the best of his ability therefore he fits that category perfectly. Jose knows what is right and wrong as a consequence he shoots to stay on the right path and out of trouble. Being the type of person that follows the law will help Jose keep a clean police record as well as keeping his job opportunities in

Although Darnell is aware that stealing’s wrong he understands the importance of obtaining it for Heinz’s wife Heinz. According to Kohlberg’s Stages of Moral Development we can assume that Darnell falls under Level III, post conventional which ranges from 13 years and older (Dacey, 2009, p. 248). I can conclude that he falls under stage six, which, states, “that the individual believes that the best values are supported by the law and if the human need conflicts this the law should be changed. They begin to judge behavior by intention” (Dacey, 2009, p. 248). With this type of mentality we can assume that Darnell is not afraid of punishment, yet he is aware that in order to get what he wants he has to break the law. This case can be very problematic when it comes to dealing with the punishment. Not only will Darnell have a record that shows he is a thief, he could lose his standing as a good person. On the other hand, from Darnell’s perspective Heinz’s wife would have the medicine and the short amount of jail time or the fine would be miniscule in comparison to having her