Kenny is taking his 12-year-old daughter, Nikki, to the hospital late one night after she fell out of bed and cut her head. She is holding a bloody towel to the gash on her forehead as Kenny sits waiting at a red traffic light. He checks oncoming traffic, sees that there are no cars coming in either direction, and decides to drive through the red light to get her to the hospital faster. This decision to break a well-understood rule of driving reflects the _________ substage of postconventional morality in Kohlberg's theory.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The social contract substage of postconventional morality in Kohlberg's theory involves individuals recognizing that rules and laws are social agreements that can be changed if they are no longer useful or fair. In this scenario, Kenny has made a decision to break the rule of stopping at a red light in order to prioritize his daughter's well-being, which reflects his recognition of the importance of a social agreement (road rules) that can be broken when a higher principle (the health and safety of his daughter) is at stake. Thus, the best choice is A) social contract.

Kenny Is Taking His 12-Year-Old Daughter, Nikki, to the Hospital