Peter's friends are going to a party that serves alcohol, but Peter refuses to go because he is 15 years old and is below the legal drinking age in his country. Peter knows that he will not get caught but strongly feels that it is important to not do something that is illegal. In the context of Kohlberg's stages of moral development, Peter is at the _____ of moral development in this scenario.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Peter's decision to refrain from drinking even though he knows he won't get caught shows that he places a high value on following laws and regulations. This is consistent with Kohlberg's law and order stage, in which individuals believe that rules and laws are necessary for maintaining a functioning society. Peter's decision is not based on avoiding punishment (punishment and obedience stage) or considering personal gain or exchange (instrumental exchange stage) but rather on following what he sees as the right thing to do according to society's laws and regulations. This decision is also not driven by a desire for approval or to avoid disapproval (good boy, nice girl stage).

Peter's Friends Are Going to a Party That Serves Alcohol