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Lourens KohlbergAmerican psychologist
Date of Birth: 25.10.1927
Country:  USA |
Content:
- Early Life and Education
- Academic Career
- Chair of Psychology at the University of Chicago
- Theory of Moral Development
- Diagnostic Assessment
- Notable Publications
- Personal Life and Legacy
Early Life and Education
Lawrence Kohlberg was born in Bronxville, New York, in 1927. He pursued his doctoral studies at the University of Chicago, where he defended his dissertation in 1958 on the topic of moral judgment and choice development in children ages 10-16.
Academic Career
Assistant Professor at Yale UniversityIn 1959, Kohlberg secured a position as assistant professor at Yale University. During his tenure, he began to develop his renowned theory of moral development.
Chair of Psychology at the University of Chicago
From 1962 onwards, Kohlberg served as the chair of the Department of Psychology at the University of Chicago. It was during this time that he further refined his theory and published seminal works that cemented his legacy in the field.
Theory of Moral Development
Kohlberg's theory of moral development posited that individuals progress through a series of six stages as they mature. Each stage represents a higher level of moral reasoning, from self-interest to universal ethical principles.
Diagnostic Assessment
To assess an individual's moral stage, Kohlberg developed an elaborate scale based on the characteristics of each stage. This scale became a widely used tool for researchers and practitioners working with children and adolescents.
Notable Publications
Kohlberg's influential works include:- "Stage and Sequence: The Cognitive Developmental Approach to Socialization" (1969)
- "From Is to Ought: How to Commit the Naturalistic Fallacy and Get Away with It in the Study of Moral Development" (1971)
Personal Life and Legacy
Tragically, Kohlberg passed away by suicide in Boston in 1987. Despite his untimely demise, his theory of moral development remains a cornerstone of the field of psychology and continues to inform research and practice in moral education and development.
