Shawshank Redemption Analysis - Kohlberg and Maslow Connection

Lawrence Kohlberg, a famous psychologist, developed a theory which entailed six stages of moral development. The aim of his theory is to allow individuals to be characterised into one of the stages, based upon their moral & ethical well-being. Life experiences usually allow further development, thus moving the individual to advance to higher stages. On the other hand, Abraham Maslow developed a different theory based on human's most basic needs which is represented in a pyramid type figure containing five levels. The most basic of needs appear at the bottom of the pyramid and the needs concerned with mans highest potential at the top. Both of these theory's can be used to analyse Andy Dufresne, the main character in the movie studied in class, Shawshank Redemption.
Andy Dufresne was a banker who was convicted of murdering his wife and her lover and sent to Shawshank prison. Andy eventually becomes good friends with a fellow inmate named Ellis Boyd Redding (Red) who has a large impact on his moral & ethical development. …