Who proposed the Theory of Moral Development?

Lawrence Kohlberg is widely recognized for proposing the Theory of Moral Development, which focuses on how individuals develop moral reasoning through a series of stages. Kohlberg based his theory on the work of Jean Piaget and expanded on it significantly, mapping out a framework that consists of three levels: preconventional, conventional, and postconventional, each containing two stages. This theory emphasizes that moral reasoning evolves through cognitive development and social experiences, illustrating how individuals make judgments about right and wrong in increasingly complex ways as they mature.

Kohlberg's work is essential in the fields of psychology and education, as it helps researchers and educators understand the moral reasoning behind people's actions and the developmental factors that influence these processes throughout life. This focus on the longitudinal evolution of moral thought sets his theory apart as a critical contribution to developmental psychology.