Kohlberg TIPR

At which of Kohlberg's levels of moral development are the students in your class functioning? Cite specific evidence and explain your reasoning for selecting these levels. What did the teacher do, or what might be done, to help the students advance to higher levels with regard to the examples you supplied above? Be sure to include a reference in your response.


In Kohlbergs Ideas of Moral Reasoning, Kohlberg defined moral reasoning as judgments about right and wrong. He suggests that a persons level of moral reasoning comes from their reason used to defend his or her position when faced with a moral dilemma. Kohlberg defined 3 Levels of moral reasoning with each level containing 2 stages for a total of 6 stages of moral development with each stage being more capable of addressing moral dilemmas than the one before it. According to this article https://www.education.com/reference/article/kohlbergs-moral-reasoning/ level 2 moral reasoning which consists of stage 3 and stage 4 are typical of adolescents, with stage 4 not appearing until high school years. Stage 3 is known as the 'good boy-nice girl orientation' where one's behavior is determined by what pleases and is approved by others. Stage 4 is known as 'law and order orientation' where proper behavior is all about doing one's duty, showing respect for authority, and preserving social order.
In math class I observed a student take a picture with his phone of a test he was currently taking. My assumption was he was going to send it to another student who had yet to take the test. Whoever he sent it to would be faced with a moral dilemma as well. Whether to cheat or not. They were both showing Level 2, Stage 3: good boy-nice girl orientation. They were seeking the approval of their peers or possibly trying to fit in or be cool among peers. The teacher was not aware that this was going on, so at the same time I was faced with a moral dilemma. Should I let the teacher know or not? Also Level 2 moral reasoning. Did I want to be cool with the student (stage 3) or did I want to obey the policy of the classroom/school (stage 4)?
I also observed a classroom of completely out of control teenagers. They were walking along the top of desks and throwing pencils into the ceiling. They were encouraging others to join in. Once again faced with a moral dilemma. Not one student that was asked to participate refused. Level 2, stage 3 of moral reasoning.  They all wanted to fit in, and have the approval and acceptance of their peers.  The teacher was not present when this was taking place, but if she were she could have taught them about some of the acceptable behaviors of society.  Say if they were at a city meeting, would that same behavior be acceptable?  She would be basically teaching them of Level 2, Stage 4 of moral reasoning where they would be respecting authority and preserving social order.