What characterizes Stage 1 of Kohlberg's Preconventional level?

• A. Obedience and avoidance of punishment
• B. Social approval and conformity
• C. Law and order orientation
• D. Universal ethical principles

Answer: (A)

Stage 1 of the Preconventional level is defined by obedience to authority and a focus on avoiding punishment. At this stage, morality is seen in terms of consequences for the individual: actions are right if they avoid punishment and wrong if they result in punishment. Rules are external and fixed, and the motivation is to stay out of trouble rather than to consider fairness or rights.

That’s why obedience and avoidance of punishment fits Stage 1. The other descriptions reflect later stages: seeking social approval and conformity aligns with wanting to be seen as good by others, law and order orientation emphasizes upholding rules to maintain social order, and universal ethical principles involve abstract, principled reasoning beyond specific rules. The behavior in Stage 1 isn’t governed by those broader social or moral considerations.