Which psychologist created a stage theory of moral development?

Lawrence Kohlberg developed a stage theory of moral development that outlines how individuals progress through different levels of moral reasoning as they grow. His model is based on the premise that moral reasoning matures through a series of stages, which are grouped into three main levels: pre-conventional, conventional, and post-conventional. Each level represents a different approach to ethical decision-making, reflecting changes in the complexity of moral thought.

Kohlberg's theory breaks down further into six identifiable stages that illustrate how people's understanding of justice, morality, and ethical considerations can evolve over time, influenced by cognitive development and social experiences. This framework has provided valuable insight into how individuals reason about moral dilemmas and has been widely used in both educational settings and psychological research.

The other psychologists mentioned have made significant contributions to their respective fields, focusing on areas such as child development (Urie Bronfenbrenner), psychosocial development (Erik Erikson), and personality (Henry Murray), but none focused specifically on outlining a structured theory of moral development like Kohlberg did.