Question

Read the following scenario and answer the question that follows.
Marley and Soncy witnessed their classmate, Josh, get into trouble by their fourth grade teacher. Marley claimed that Josh's behavior was wrong because he hurt another student and Soncy claimed that Josh's behavior was wrong because he broke the class rules.
Based on Lawrence Kohlberg's theory of moral reasoning which of the following statements would Kohlberg agree with?
A.
Marley is at a higher level of moral reasoning than Soncy.
B.
Soncy is at a higher level of moral reasoning than Marley.
C.
Soncy and Marley are at the same level of moral reasoning.
D.
Marley reason's differently than Soncy because Marley is more mature.

Answer 1

B.

Kohlberg would place Soncy at a higher stage. Soncy's justification ("wrong because he broke the class rules") reflects a law-and-order, rule-following orientation (Stage 4, conventional level). Marley's justification ("wrong because he hurt another student") reflects concern for interpersonal relationships and the welfare of others (Stage 3, "good‑boy/good‑girl" at the conventional level), which Kohlberg views as a lower stage than Stage 4.