What is the primary focus of Kohlberg's theory of moral development?

Kohlberg's theory of moral development primarily emphasizes the progression of individual moral reasoning through a series of universal stages. This framework is built around the idea that moral reasoning evolves as people mature, moving through defined levels that reflect increasingly sophisticated ethical reasoning. His model categorizes moral development into three main stages: pre-conventional, conventional, and post-conventional. Each of these stages corresponds to a different approach to ethics and justice, indicating that individuals can reach different levels of moral understanding depending on their development and experiences.

While other options touch on important aspects of moral reasoning, such as behaviorism, environmental influences, and biological underpinnings, they do not capture the essence of Kohlberg’s focus on the stages of moral reasoning. The framework not only provides a structural view of how moral thought progresses but also emphasizes the cognitive processes involved in arriving at moral judgments. Thus, the primary focus on individual moral reasoning through universal stages is what distinguishes Kohlberg’s contributions to understanding moral development.