Who proposed a theory of moral development involving stages?

The theory of moral development involving stages was proposed by Lawrence Kohlberg. His model outlines how individuals progress through a series of stages that reflect the evolution of their moral reasoning. Kohlberg suggested that these stages are hierarchical and that individuals move from a more simplistic, self-centered view of morality to a more complex understanding that incorporates societal rules and universal ethical principles.

Kohlberg's stages are categorized into three levels: pre-conventional, conventional, and post-conventional morality. Each of these levels contains two stages that highlight how moral reasoning develops as individuals are exposed to new experiences and challenges. This progression is influenced by cognitive growth and social interaction, making Kohlberg's theory significant in understanding how moral education and ethical decision-making evolve over time.

The other figures mentioned have made substantial contributions to psychology but do not focus specifically on the theory of moral development in the way Kohlberg did. Sigmund Freud is known for his psychoanalytic theory, Carl Rogers for his humanistic approach, and Alfred Adler for the development of individual psychology, all of which address different aspects of personality and behavior rather than the stages of moral reasoning.