MORAL REASONING
Kohlberg's
PRECONVENTIONAL
Stage 1 and Stage 2
Stage 1 "Egocentric" - awareness of reward and punishment
Stage 2 "Reciprocity" - awareness of personal gain and/or mutual gain
Most elementary students
Some middle school students
A few high school students
CONVENTIONAL
Stage 3 and Stage 4
Stage 3 "Good Child" - awareness of social approval and/or keeping the peace
Stage 4 "Law and Order" - awareness of social order and/or respect for authority
Most middle school and high school students
Many adults
POSTCONVENTIONAL
Stage 5 and Stage 6
Stage 5 "Social Contract" - awareness of flexible rules and/or social consensus
Stage 6 "Principles and Conscience" - awareness of dignity/worth and/or abstract universal values
Stage 5 - some adults
Stage 6 - a few adults