Kohlberg's Stage Theory

The first level is the elementary school mentality.

1) People conform to social norms and to what they are told to do by authority figures (parents, teachers). This motive is to avoid punishment (punishment is threatened).

2) "What's in it for me" position; right behavior being defined by what is in one's own best interests.

Transition: Selfishness of a willful decision to the responsibility of moral choice.

The second level is the "conventional" or typical stage found in society in general.

3) Seeking the approval of others.

4) Oriented to obeying the law and heeding the obligations of duty.

Transition: Doubting moral self-worth to having the strength of her own convictions

The third level, Kohlberg said, is rare: most adults never reach this stage of moral reasoning.

5) Awareness that social contracts are mutually beneficial, which implies that a person at this stage is concerned about others.

6) Respects universal principle and answers to the individual conscience.