A 14-year-old boy is browsing through a bookstore and thinks for a moment that he could easily tuck a book into his coat and leave the store without paying for it. He decides not to take the book because he is afraid he might get caught and punished. According to Lawrence Kohlberg, at what stage of moral development is the boy?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The boy's decision not to steal the book because of fear of punishment shows that he is in the preconventional stage of moral development, where individuals make decisions based on self-interest and the consequences of their actions.

A 14-Year-Old Boy Is Browsing Through a Bookstore and Thinks