According to Kohlberg, how are moral values formed during middle childhood?

Kohlberg's theory of moral development posits that moral values are formed through a succession of stages that correspond to levels of cognitive development. During middle childhood, children begin to engage in more complex reasoning about morality, moving through Kohlberg's stages of moral development, which include the pre-conventional level focused on avoiding punishment and seeking rewards, and the conventional level where societal norms and the approval of others become significant.

As children's cognitive abilities mature, they are capable of considering broader perspectives, viewing rules as social contracts that can be negotiated and understood. This active thinking process allows them to develop a more nuanced understanding of right and wrong. By this age, they are increasingly capable of deliberating moral dilemmas, evaluating the perspectives and intentions of others, and recognizing the implications of their actions on social relationships. This cognitive engagement is critical for the development of moral reasoning, reflecting how moral values are formed through active thinking rather than through direct transmission from external sources or experiences alone.