Question

assignment in progress for 1050210008 82 ela grade 8
due january 18, 2026 at 11:59 pm
how do we tell right from wrong?
kohlberg’s stages of moral development
anne - marie reidy • 2019
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dr. lawrence kohlberg (1927 - 1987) was an american psychologist best known for his research into moral development. through his work, kohlberg created a new field in psychology in which researchers try to understand how humans make moral choices.
as you read, make note of the details that support the author’s central idea: how do people tell right from wrong?
decisions, decisions
(1) joe and his best friend kim stop at a convenience store on their walk home from school. joe sees kim take a candy bar and slip it into her bag. then kim walks quickly out the door without paying. the store owner, who knows joe from the neighborhood, asks him, “joe, did that girl steal something from me?” joe has been taught that it’s wrong to steal or lie —
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assessment questions
2.
which statement best describes the difference between preconventional reasoning and postconventional reasoning?
a. preconventional reasoning is based on community norms, but postconventional reasoning is based on religious beliefs.
b. preconventional reasoning is based on avoiding punishment, but postconventional reasoning is based on earning rewards.
c. preconventional reasoning is based on benefiting oneself, but postconventional reasoning is based on one’s personal morals and values.
d. preconventional reasoning is based on following one’s moral principles, but postconventional reasoning is based on doing what is best for oneself.

Explanation:

To solve this, we recall Kohlberg's stages of moral development:

• Preconventional reasoning: Focuses on self - interest, avoiding punishment or gaining rewards (benefiting oneself).
• Postconventional reasoning: Based on personal moral principles and values, considering broader ethical concepts beyond self - interest or social norms.

Now let's analyze each option:

• Option A: Preconventional reasoning is not based on community norms, and postconventional is not based on religious beliefs. Eliminate A.
• Option B: Preconventional can be about avoiding punishment or gaining rewards, but postconventional is not about earning rewards. Eliminate B.
• Option C: Preconventional is self - serving (benefiting oneself), postconventional is about personal morals/values. This matches.
• Option D: Preconventional is not about following moral principles (that's postconventional), and postconventional is not about self - interest. Eliminate D.

Answer:

C. Preconventional reasoning is based on benefiting oneself, but postconventional reasoning is based on one’s personal morals and values.