- Preconventional: Emphasis on External Control
Stage 1. Punishment and Obedience Orientation. What is right or wrong is determined by whether one may be punished or whether it is contrary to commands from a legitimate and powerful agent. Highly dependent on extreme forms of coercive power, plus obligations to a powerful legitimate position power.
Stage 2. Instrumental relativist Orientation. Right or wrong is determined by whether one gets a reward depending on such behavior. Extreme form of reward power.
- Conventional: Emphasis on Pleasing Others
Stage 3. Interpersonal Concordance Orientation. Approval or disapproval, especially by the influencing agent, but also by others who are important. Concern for winning and maintaining love and affection, avoiding personal rejection. Personal reward and personal coercive power predominate.
Stage 4. Social System Maintenance and Law-and-Order Orientation. Accepting higher authority as a means toward general harmony in social system. Accepting established rules with social order in mind. Doing one's duty. Concern for "fairness" in the interests of self and others. Legitimate position power with such higher order justification. Legitimate power of equity. Personal reward and personal coercive power carry over, with the greater good in mind.
- Postconventional: Accepting Universal Principles and Standards
Stage 5. Social Contract Orientation. Acceptance of obligation to adhere to agreements with others, either formally or implied. Legitimate power of reciprocity.
Stage 6. Universal Ethical Principles Orientation. Right or wrong is tied into accepting basic social values and internatlized standards. Values such as equality, freedom, fairness, security, etc., guide behavior. Conscience provides direction. Informational power predominant, plus legitimate responsibility.
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