What is the most characteristic behavior of a preschooler's stage of moral development according to Kohlberg?

What is the most characteristic behavior of a preschooler's stage of moral development according to Kohlberg?

• A. Behavior that pleases others is considered good.
• B. Following rules to avoid punishment.
• C. Acting out of self-interest only.
• D. Understanding universal ethical principles.

Answer: (A)

Preschool-age moral thinking is driven by external approval rather than abstract rules. Children at this stage judge right and wrong by how others react to their behavior; they see an action as good if it pleases important people like parents or teachers and brings praise, and they avoid actions that invite disapproval. This focus on pleasing others reflects Kohlberg's early, preconventional level of moral development, where morality is tied to external consequences and social approval rather than internalized principles. In contrast, following rules to avoid punishment represents a more obedience-focused response, acting mainly out of self-interest fits the later “getting rewards” view, and understanding universal ethical principles appears only at much higher levels of development.

Preschool-age moral thinking is driven by external approval rather than abstract rules. Children at this stage judge right and wrong by how others react to their behavior; they see an action as good if it pleases important people like parents or teachers and brings praise, and they avoid actions that invite disapproval. This focus on pleasing others reflects Kohlberg's early, preconventional level of moral development, where morality is tied to external consequences and social approval rather than internalized principles. In contrast, following rules to avoid punishment represents a more obedience-focused response, acting mainly out of self-interest fits the later “getting rewards” view, and understanding universal ethical principles appears only at much higher levels of development.