7.
Last Saturday, five people were arrested for trespassing during a protest rally at a plant that
manufactures parts for nuclear weapons. Each protestor gave a statement to the police. From
their statements, identify the stage of Kohlberg’s justice model and provide an explanation.
a. Erin: “This business violates every principle our country stands for! This is not what
America is about. The government is wrong to allow companies like this to exist. We are
going to stand up for what America believes in and protest until the government passes
laws to make this kind of business illegal!”
Erin is at stage 4, law and order because she has developed a mature view of the world.
She understands that she is a part of a larger community and feels a moral duty to
maintain its order and stability. She believes the actions of the plant are not right and
interferes with the social order. Therefore, Erin has a strong sense of citizenship, duty,
and responsibility.
b. Danielle: “I’m really sorry about what happened, but it’s not my fault. The leader of
this group is vicious and dangerous. I had to go along with him, or I would have gotten
into trouble. He might have hurt me.”
Danielle is at Stage 1, punishment and obedience because the sense of right and wrong
were perceived in terms of the physical consequences of his actions. Their morality was
based in terms of obedience to authority to avoid punishment from the leader of the
group.
c. Jquaan: “Look, all my friends belong to this protest group. I couldn’t let them down.
What kind of person would they think I am if I didn’t climb the fence with them? I don’t
want my friends thinking I’m a coward!”
Jquaan is at Stage 3, interpersonal concordance because he felt a need to be liked,
accepted, and well thought by his peers. So, morally his actions were chosen as a way to
gain social approval.
d. Olivia: “I’m not really one of the protesters. Some guy paid us $50 each if we would
make the crowd look bigger for the television cameras. I’m just out for myself here. I’ll
even testify against them if you drop the charges against me and pay me a little
something for my trouble.”
Olivia is at Stage 2, instrument and relativity because her actions were used to meet
personal needs. This stage is self-interest driven where the proper action consists of what
satisfies the needs of the individual and correct behavior is determined by whatever is in
the individual’s best interests.
e. Christopher: “I cannot stand by silently while a company violates important principles
that I believe in deeply. Human life is at stake. Prosecute me if you have to, but I’m
standing by my principles.”
Christopher is at Stage 6, because it is an example of universal ethical principle.
Universal ethics is a set of principles which applies to all humans, whether secular or
religious, independent from any particular faith. Universal ethics are a sort of moral
constitution which is articulated as a set of specific ethical principles acceptable to all
human beings. This stage is one where a person knows the laws and moral but does what
is best for everyone. To make a difference that is far more important than the
consequences of making such a movement, uproar, or breaking laws.
8. Jean is a senior. To have enough credits to graduate, she must pass her composition class. To
pass, she has to earn an A on the class research paper due in two days. Jean has not picked a
topic or started her research. She has been too busy catching up in other classes. Now she’s
beginning to panic. Jean’s friend Molly had the same class last year. Molly kept her paper, on
which she received an A. She offers to sell it to Jean for $50. How would Jean reason through
her decision according to Kohlberg’s model? What will she do at each stage? Record your
answers in the table.
Kohlbergs justice model
Stage What is jean thinking? What might jean do? Why?
1 Punishment & obedience Jean is thinking the physical Jean might buy the paper
consequences that might because the actions of
happen if she is caught purchasing the paper to use
cheating, and comparing would lead to pleasant
them to what may happen if consequences.
she doesn’t pass.
2 instrument & relativity Jean is thinking about how Jean might buy the paper
buying the paper can help her based on the benefits she
achieve her personal needs. would get from her action,
which would be passing and
would still be able to focus on
her other classes.
3 Interpersonal Concordance To live up to expectations of Jean might buy the paper at
graduating Jean is thinking of this stage because it would
buying the paper to guarantee help her pass. To graduate
that she passes. and live up to expections of
her peers Jean needs to pass
this class, so to guarantee she
does to maintain conformity
as a student she would most
likely need that paper.
4 Law & Order Jean is thinking that even Jean might write the paper
though she can pass by using herself. Because this stage
the paper would disobey the goes past the individual
laws and rules that keep approval manifested in stage
everything flowing in proper three, Jean would see that she
order. would need to right the paper
herself to keep everything
flowing in proper order and
avoid the consequences and
embarrassment of breaking a
law or rule.
5 The social contract To be fair to everybody Jean might write the paper
around her Jean is not herself to maintain a fairness
considering buying the paper to her peers that did not cheat
to follow the important social to pass.
values.
6 Universal ethics Jean is thinking of what Jean might pay the $50 for
would be the best outcome of the paper because it would be
this situation. the best outcome for
everybody. Molly would gain
$50, she would pass, and
would remain in good
standing with her peers and
parents.
