6 Stages of Moral Development
Premoral Level
1 | I don’t want to get in trouble. | Punishment avoidance. Make moral decisions strictly on the basis of self-interests. Disobey rules if can do so without getting caught. |
2 | I want a reward. | “Getting what you want” by trade-off. Recognize that others have needs, but make satisfaction of own needs a higher priority. |
Conventional Level
3 | I want to please somebody. | Meeting expectations of others. Make decisions on the basis of what will please others. Concerned about maintaining interpersonal relations. |
4 | I follow the rules. | Fulfilling duties and upholding laws. Look to society as a whole for guidelines about behavior. Think of rules as inflexible, unchangeable. |
Principled Level
5 | I am considerate of other people. | Empathy! Sense of democracy and relativity of rules. Recognize that rules are social agreements that can be changed when necessary. |
6 | I have a personal code of behavior, and I follow it. (Atticus Level) | Self-selection of universal principles. Adhere to a small number of abstract principles that transcend specific, concrete rules. Answer to an inner conscience. |