At what age should children be able to differentiate right from wrong, according to Kohlberg's theory?

Kohlberg's theory of moral development outlines a progression through a series of stages, emphasizing the reasoning behind moral choices rather than just the choices themselves. According to his theory, children begin to develop an understanding of right and wrong around the age of 8, which coincides with what Kohlberg identifies as the "conventional level" of moral development. At this stage, children start to internalize societal norms and values and can assess behavior in terms of rules and expectations.

By this age, they begin to understand the importance of rules and laws, as well as the social context of morality. They demonstrate the ability to judge actions not just by their immediate outcomes but also by the intentions and societal implications behind those actions. This marks a significant cognitive development in their moral reasoning processes.

In contrast, younger children, such as those around 5 years old, may have a more simplistic understanding of right and wrong, often based on immediate consequences or obedience to authority without a deeper understanding of societal norms. By the age of 10 or 12, children have generally advanced further in moral reasoning, but the foundational ability to differentiate right from wrong, according to Kohlberg, is more characteristic of the 8-year-old developmental stage.