Which theory suggests that people who obey the law simply to avoid punishment or who are self-interested are more likely to commit crimes than those who view the law as something that benefits all of society and who sympathize with the rights of others?

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Moral development theory, particularly as proposed by Lawrence Kohlberg, suggests that individuals progress through stages of moral reasoning. Those at lower stages obey laws mainly to avoid punishment (pre-conventional level) or for instrumental purposes and self-interest (conventional level), while those at higher stages see laws as based on social contracts and universal ethical principles, including the rights of others (post-conventional level). This theory implies that individuals at lower stages of moral development are more likely to commit crimes if they believe they can avoid punishment or if it serves their self-interest.

Which Theory Suggests That People Who Obey the Law Simply