In Kohlberg's theory, progression through stages depends on psychological and environmental factors. Which option best reflects this?

• A. Psychological and environmental factors
• B. Genetic predisposition
• C. Random chance
• D. Cultural norms alone

Answer: (A)

Progression in Kohlberg's theory is about the growth of moral reasoning, which develops through both internal mental changes and external social influences. As a person’s ability to think abstractly and to take others’ perspectives improves (psychological factors), exposure to moral questions, discussions, feedback from others, and culturally rich environments (environmental factors) shape how they reason about right and wrong. This interaction explains why someone can move to higher stages of moral reasoning only when both their cognitive development and their surrounding social experiences support that growth.

Genetic predisposition would suggest biology alone drives advancement, which Kohlberg did not emphasize as the mechanism of stage progression. Random chance would imply luck dictates change, which doesn’t align with the systematic development Kohlberg describes. Cultural norms alone would address content of judgments but not the mechanism by which individuals advance through stages, since internal cognitive growth and social interaction are essential components in the progression.