Compare Kohlberg's levels of moral development and provide a core idea of each level.

Compare Kohlberg's levels of moral development and provide a core idea of each level.

• A. Preconventional—emphasis on social rules and conformity; Conventional—punishment and rewards; Postconventional—ethical principles.
• B. Preconventional—focusing on personal gain; Conventional—favors obedience to authority; Postconventional—universal principles.
• C. Preconventional—focusing on punishment and rewards; Conventional—emphasis on social rules and conformity; Postconventional—personal ethical principles and justice.
• D. Preconventional—moral development occurs in adulthood; Conventional—early childhood; Postconventional—infancy.

Answer: (C)

Kohlberg’s theory looks at how moral reasoning shifts from external outcomes to internal principles. In the first level, moral thinking is about avoiding punishment or getting rewards. In the second level, people reason in terms of fitting in with social rules and seeking approval from others. In the third level, moral judgment rests on internalized, universal ethical principles and a sense of justice that may go beyond local norms. The description that matches these ideas is: preconventional—focusing on punishment and rewards; conventional—emphasis on social rules and conformity; postconventional—personal ethical principles and justice. Other options mix up what motivates moral choices at each level or incorrectly link them to age or authority alone.

Kohlberg’s theory looks at how moral reasoning shifts from external outcomes to internal principles. In the first level, moral thinking is about avoiding punishment or getting rewards. In the second level, people reason in terms of fitting in with social rules and seeking approval from others. In the third level, moral judgment rests on internalized, universal ethical principles and a sense of justice that may go beyond local norms. The description that matches these ideas is: preconventional—focusing on punishment and rewards; conventional—emphasis on social rules and conformity; postconventional—personal ethical principles and justice. Other options mix up what motivates moral choices at each level or incorrectly link them to age or authority alone.