Question

If a child's primary reason for not drawing pictures on the living room wall with crayons is to avoid the punishment that would inevitably follow this behavior, she would be said to be at which level of moral deyelopment? A. conventional B. postconventional C. preconventional D. unconventional

Short answer

Answer: Preconventional

Step-by-step solution

Understand the different levels of moral development

According to psychologist Lawrence Kohlberg's theory of moral development, there are three main levels, each with two stages: 1. Preconventional level - Stage 1: Obedience and punishment orientation - Stage 2: Individualism and exchange 2. Conventional level - Stage 3: Good interpersonal relationships - Stage 4: Maintaining the social order 3. Postconventional level - Stage 5: Social contract and individual rights - Stage 6: Universal principles Our goal is to identify which level applies to the child's behavior in the given scenario.

Analyze the scenario

In the given scenario, a child doesn't draw on the living room wall because she wants to avoid the punishment that would inevitably follow this behavior. There is no mention of any other reason or moral understanding behind her decision.

Determine the level of moral development

Given the reason for the child's behavior (avoiding punishment), she seems to be at the first stage of Kohlberg's moral development theory - Obedience and punishment orientation. At this stage, children make decisions based on avoiding punishment. Since this stage belongs to the preconventional level, the correct answer is: C. Preconventional

Key concepts

Kohlberg's stages

Lawrence Kohlberg, an American psychologist, introduced a theory that explores the stages of moral development. This theory is essential for understanding how individuals make ethical and moral decisions as they grow. The theory outlines a progression of how an individual's ability to deal with moral issues changes over time. Kohlberg's theory is divided into three main levels, each consisting of two stages.

• Preconventional level: This level is where young children (often below the age of 9) start their moral journey. At this stage, moral reasoning is primarily driven by consequences, particularly avoiding punishment or gaining rewards.
• Conventional level: This level is characteristic of adolescents and adults. Individuals at this stage conform to societal rules and expectations. They seek to gain approval and maintain social order, understanding the broader implications of their actions.
• Postconventional level: Here, individuals develop their moral principles, often transcending societal norms. They are guided by principles of justice and rights, even if these conflict with laws and rules.

Breaking these levels down helps illustrate how a child's moral thinking evolves, eventually leading to more complex and abstract moral reasoning.

Preconventional level

The preconventional level is the first stage in Kohlberg's moral development theory and is mainly observed in children. Here, morality revolves around self-centered considerations. At this level, children view actions in terms of their direct consequences rather than any ethical principles. There are two stages within the preconventional level:

• Stage 1: Obedience and punishment orientation: During this stage, children behave in ways to avoid punishment. Their sense of right and wrong is shaped primarily by their fear of negative outcomes rather than any understanding of societal norms or ethical principles.
• Stage 2: Individualism and exchange: At this stage, children recognize that there might be different perspectives and begin to understand that actions can serve their own needs. Decisions are often made by weighing the benefits received against the consequences.

Understanding the preconventional level is crucial to identifying the initial steps where children start to recognize the basic aspects of moral behavior and their consequences.

Obedience and punishment orientation

Obedience and punishment orientation is the very first stage of moral reasoning in Kohlberg's framework. Here, the primary motivation for moral behavior is the avoidance of punishment. Young children usually operate from this stage, where authority figures' approval or disapproval heavily influence their actions. In this stage:

• Children see rules as fixed and absolute, imposed by authority figures.
• Their main focus is on significant, immediate consequences rather than the broader reasoning behind rules.
• For them, actions are not inherently good or bad; instead, they are judged based on the associated rewards or punishments.

For instance, if a child refrains from drawing on the living room wall simply to avoid punishment, it indicates that their moral reasoning is based on obedience rather than an understanding of property rights or the mess it might create. This stage is foundational, as it sets the groundwork for more sophisticated moral reasoning in the future.