Question

Bobby (a 4 year old) told his grandfather that he was "bossy" because his mom had said so in the kitchen when he was playing. Later when asked by his mom why he would tell his grandfather that, Bobby said "I told him because I thought he would give me a piece of candy." This would be consistent with Kohlburg's __________ stage of moral development.

Answer 1

Answer:

Preconventional level

Explanation:

Kohlberg did some studies on morality and proposed a theory on moral development.

Kohlberg defined three different levels of morality (and each level consists in 2 stages). These levels are:

preconventional,

conventional and

postconventional

In the preconventional level, the person's morality is externally controlled and therefore acts based on what the punishment or reward will be (1st stage) or based on how good will it be for him/her to act in some way (2nd stage)

The conventional level stages also have to to with external controls but now the person thinks in function of ensure positive relationships and societal order. The third stage here depends on the approval of others. The fourth stage has to do with accepting rules because they preserve the society order  and functioning.

The postconventional level stages are defined in more abstract principles or values. The 5th stage sees the world as a place with different values that must be respected. Finally the 6th stage is based in universal ethical abstract principles.

In this example, Bobby called his grandfather "bossy" thinking he would give him a piece of candy. Thus, Bobby acted based on the reward he would get from his grandfather. Therefore, Bobby would be in the preconventional level stage of moral development.