The six stages of moral development are:
- obedience and punishment stage,
- instrumental stage,
- interpersonal stage,
- law and order stage,
- social contract stage, and
- universal principles stage.
In the obedience and punishment stage, an individual does the right thing mainly to avoid punishment or to obtain approval.
In the instrumental stage, an individual becomes aware that others also have needs and begins to defer to them to get what the individual wants.
An individual at the interpersonal stage considers appropriate behavior as that which pleases or is approved by friends or family. Proper behavior exhibits conformity to conventional expectations, often of the majority.
In the law and order stage, an individual recognizes that ethical behavior consists of doing a person’s duty, showing respect for authority, and maintaining the social order for its own sake.
An individual at the social contract stage is aware that others hold a variety of conflicting personal views that go beyond the letter of the law. An individual at this stage understands that, although rules and laws may be agreed on and for the most part must be followed, they can be changed if necessary.
Finally, an individual at the universal principles stage views appropriate conduct as determined by a person’s conscience, based on universal ethical principles.