Six (6) Stages of Moral Development

At what age range is the Preconventional Morality level typically seen?

• High school students

• Junior high school students

• Elementary school students

• Preschool children

What is the nature of moral reasoning in Stage 2 of Preconventional Morality?

• Making decisions based on others' needs

• Maintaining relationships through sharing and trust

• Defining right and wrong based on consequences to oneself

• Obeying rules established by authority figures

In which stage of Conventional Morality do people look to society as a whole for guidelines about right or wrong?

• Stage 3: Good Boy/Girl

• Stage 4: Law and Order

• Stage 5: Social Contract

• Stage 6: Universal Ethical Principle

What is the focus of Stage 4: Law and Order in Conventional Morality?

• Perceiving rules as inflexible and absolute

• Adhering to universal ethical principles

• Recognizing rules as agreements among individuals

• Maintaining relationships through sharing and trust

At what level of moral development is Stage 6: Universal Ethical Principle rarely seen?

• Preconventional Morality

• All levels equally

• Conventional Morality

• Postconventional Morality

What do people in Stage 5: Social Contract recognize about rules?

• Rules should never be changed

• Rules represent agreements among individuals about behavior

• Rules are flexible and can be disobeyed

• Rules are absolute dictates that must be obeyed

Which stage of moral development involves adherence to abstract, universal principles?

• Stage 1: Punishment Avoidance and Obedience

• Stage 3: Good Boy/Girl

• Stage 5: Social Contract

• Stage 6: Universal Ethical Principle

What is the primary focus of Stage 1: Punishment Avoidance and Obedience in Preconventional Morality?

• Adhering to universal ethical principles

• Defining right and wrong based on consequences to oneself

• Recognizing rules as agreements among individuals

• Making decisions based on others' needs

Which level of moral development is seen in some junior high school students and many high school students?

• Preconventional Morality

• Conventional Morality

• Postconventional Morality

• All levels equally

What is the distinguishing feature of Stage 3: Good Boy/Girl in Conventional Morality?

• Making decisions based on actions that please others

• Looking to society as a whole for guidelines about right or wrong

• Adhering to universal ethical principles

• Recognizing rules as agreements among individuals about behavior