Which one of the following can be considered as a contribution of Kohlberg’s theory?

The correct answer is: His theory has supported an association between cognitive maturity and moral maturity.

Lawrence Kohlberg’s theory of moral development posits that moral reasoning, which is the basis for ethical behavior, develops through a series of stages closely tied to cognitive growth. Drawing heavily on Jean Piaget’s work on cognitive development, Kohlberg proposed that as individuals mature cognitively, their capacity for complex moral reasoning and understanding of justice, rights, and social order also advances.

Key contributions and concepts of Kohlberg’s theory include:

1. Cognitive Foundation: Moral development requires cognitive development. An individual must reach a certain level of cognitive maturity (e.g., abstract thinking or formal operational thought) to comprehend and apply higher-level moral principles.

2. Stage-Based Growth: Moral reasoning develops through six distinct stages grouped into three primary levels: Pre-conventional, Conventional, and Post-conventional morality.

Let's evaluate why the other options are not considered primary contributions of Kohlberg's theory:

- "The theory has elaborate testing procedures." — While Kohlberg used moral dilemmas (such as the famous Heinz dilemma) to assess moral reasoning, his testing procedures were often criticized for being subjective and time-consuming, rather than hailed as a main contribution.

- "It establishes a clear relationship between moral reasoning and action." — A major critique of Kohlberg’s theory is that moral reasoning does not always predict actual moral behavior or action (what people say they would do in a dilemma often differs from what they actually do).

- "His belief is that children are moral philosophers." — While Jean Piaget famously referred to children as "little scientists" or moral thinkers in early developmental research, Kohlberg's specific structural contribution emphasized the direct linkage between cognitive development and progressive stages of moral judgment.

Therefore, the key contribution of Kohlberg’s work is establishing the strong connection between cognitive maturity and moral maturity.