Which statement best captures Kohlberg's view of moral development over time?

Which statement best captures Kohlberg's view of moral development over time?

• A. Moral development is unrelated to cognitive development.
• B. Moral judgments are fixed in early childhood.
• C. Moral development progresses over time as cognition develops.
• D. The theory states morality is determined solely by authority.

Answer: (C)

Moral reasoning grows as our thinking abilities develop. Kohlberg argued that people move through a sequence of stages, each offering clearer and more abstract ways of judging right from wrong. Early stages focus on obedience or self-interest, but later stages require taking others’ perspectives and upholding universal ethical principles. Because morality, in his view, hinges on cognitive development, moral development is a gradual progression over time rather than something fixed in early childhood or dictated solely by authority. This is why the statement that moral development progresses as cognition develops best captures his view.

Moral reasoning grows as our thinking abilities develop. Kohlberg argued that people move through a sequence of stages, each offering clearer and more abstract ways of judging right from wrong. Early stages focus on obedience or self-interest, but later stages require taking others’ perspectives and upholding universal ethical principles. Because morality, in his view, hinges on cognitive development, moral development is a gradual progression over time rather than something fixed in early childhood or dictated solely by authority. This is why the statement that moral development progresses as cognition develops best captures his view.