Who is known for proposing the theory of moral development?

Lawrence Kohlberg is renowned for his theory of moral development, which outlines how individuals progress through different stages of moral reasoning as they grow older. His theory is primarily based on the work of Jean Piaget and posits that moral reasoning develops in a series of six stages, grouped into three levels: pre-conventional, conventional, and post-conventional. Each level reflects a different approach to moral decisions, illustrating how reasoning evolves from self-interest to broader societal perspectives.

Kohlberg's research involved presenting subjects with moral dilemmas and analyzing their reasoning behind their choices. This framework has greatly influenced the understanding of moral psychology, education, and ethical reasoning. His work emphasizes not only the cognitive development aspect but also the importance of social and cultural influences on moral reasoning.

In contrast, Freud focused primarily on psychosexual development, Bandura emphasized observational learning and social learning theory, and Erikson is known for his psychosocial stages of development. Each of these theorists contributed significantly to psychology but in domains unrelated to moral development specifically. Thus, Kohlberg stands out as the figure associated with the theory of moral development.