Cognitive explanations of criminal behaviour
Kohlberg’s levels of moral reasoning
• kohlberg was the first researcher to apply the theory concept of moral reasoning to criminal behaviour
• He interviewed men and boys about the reasons for their moral decisions
• suggested that people’s decisions about right and wrong can be summarised in a stage theory of moral
development
• Each stage represents a more advanced form of moral understanding, that results in a more logically
consistent and morally mature form of understanding
Level 1 Stage 1 (punishment orientation, obey rules to not be pushed)
Stage 2 (instrumental orientation of personal gain, rules are obeyed for personal gain only)
Level 2 Stage 3 (good boy/girl orientation, rules are obeyed for approval)
Stage 4 (maintenance of social order)
Level 3 Stage 5 (morality of contract and individual rights, you obey the rules if you think they are important
Stage 6 (morality of conscience, individual establishes their own rules in accordance with a personal
set of ethical principles)
Level 1 is pre-conventional morality.
Level 2 is conventional morality.
Level 3 is post-conventional morality.
Studies have suggested that criminals show a lower level of moral reasoning than non-criminals.
Kohlberg used his moral dilemma technique and found that a group of violent youths were lower in their moral
development stages than non-criminal youths. A social background control group was used.
Link to offending behaviour
• in a longitudinal study Kohlberg found that only around 10% of adults reach post-conventional so
conventional is the most common
• Adults in the conventional level that break the l;aw think their behaviour is justified because it helps maintain
relationships and society.
• this means an offender might accept breaking the law to protect someone else
• Hollin et al stated that criminal offenders are more likely to be classified at the pre-conventional level. Non
criminals are usually at least on the conventional level
Kohlberg’s levels of moral reasoning
• kohlberg was the first researcher to apply the theory concept of moral reasoning to criminal behaviour
• He interviewed men and boys about the reasons for their moral decisions
• suggested that people’s decisions about right and wrong can be summarised in a stage theory of moral
development
• Each stage represents a more advanced form of moral understanding, that results in a more logically
consistent and morally mature form of understanding
Level 1 Stage 1 (punishment orientation, obey rules to not be pushed)
Stage 2 (instrumental orientation of personal gain, rules are obeyed for personal gain only)
Level 2 Stage 3 (good boy/girl orientation, rules are obeyed for approval)
Stage 4 (maintenance of social order)
Level 3 Stage 5 (morality of contract and individual rights, you obey the rules if you think they are important
Stage 6 (morality of conscience, individual establishes their own rules in accordance with a personal
set of ethical principles)
Level 1 is pre-conventional morality.
Level 2 is conventional morality.
Level 3 is post-conventional morality.
Studies have suggested that criminals show a lower level of moral reasoning than non-criminals.
Kohlberg used his moral dilemma technique and found that a group of violent youths were lower in their moral
development stages than non-criminal youths. A social background control group was used.
Link to offending behaviour
• in a longitudinal study Kohlberg found that only around 10% of adults reach post-conventional so
conventional is the most common
• Adults in the conventional level that break the l;aw think their behaviour is justified because it helps maintain
relationships and society.
• this means an offender might accept breaking the law to protect someone else
• Hollin et al stated that criminal offenders are more likely to be classified at the pre-conventional level. Non
criminals are usually at least on the conventional level
