What does Kohlberg’s theory of moral development focus on?

Kohlberg’s theory of moral development focuses on how moral reasoning progresses through a series of stages as individuals develop. This theory breaks down the complexity of moral development into a structured framework, where individuals move from basic, concrete understandings of morality based on obedience and punishment to more abstract concepts centered around ethical principles and justice.

Kohlberg proposed three main levels of moral reasoning—pre-conventional, conventional, and post-conventional—each consisting of two stages. These levels illustrate how people's understanding of morality evolves and becomes increasingly sophisticated over time. Essentially, the focus is on the cognitive processes behind moral decisions, shedding light on how individuals justify their choices and the principles they adhere to at different stages of development.

The other options do not accurately address the central theme of Kohlberg's theory. For instance, while stages of cognitive development are indeed an important area of study (as you might find in another theorist’s work like Piaget), they are not the primary focus of Kohlberg’s theory. Similarly, while the impact of culture on morality is significant, Kohlberg's framework primarily investigates how moral reasoning itself progresses, rather than how cultural influences shape morality. Lastly, emotional intelligence and moral reasoning can intersect, but Kohlberg's work specifically concentrates on rational