Development: Kohlberg's moral development: practice question

A Psychiatry question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Psychiatry · Development: Kohlberg's moral development

Sample item

A 10-year-old does not steal because he fears punishment, and obeys rules to avoid getting caught. In Kohlberg's scheme, this is which level?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

A. Pre-conventional morality

Kohlberg's pre-conventional level has obedience to avoid punishment and satisfaction of own needs, the conventional level has conformity to social expectations and law and order, and the post-conventional level has social contract and universal principles. Fear of punishment marks stage 1.

Option by option

  • A. Pre-conventional morality (correct)

    Correct. Obeying to avoid punishment is pre-conventional.

  • B. Amoral stage

    Kohlberg did not describe an amoral stage.

  • C. Conventional morality

    Conventional morality concerns social approval and law and order.

  • D. Post-conventional morality

    Post-conventional morality concerns principles and social contract.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Psychiatry question

What is the answer to this Psychiatry question?

The best answer is A, Pre-conventional morality. Kohlberg's pre-conventional level has obedience to avoid punishment and satisfaction of own needs, the conventional level has conformity to social expectations and law and order, and the post-conventional level has social contract and universal principles.

Why is "Amoral stage" not the answer?

Kohlberg did not describe an amoral stage.

Why is "Conventional morality" not the answer?

Conventional morality concerns social approval and law and order.

Why is "Post-conventional morality" not the answer?

Post-conventional morality concerns principles and social contract.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Development: Kohlberg's moral development in Psychiatry. Fear of punishment marks stage 1.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Development: Kohlberg's moral development?

Learn each diagnosis by its core features and its first-line treatment. Then use the flashcards and the other Psychiatry questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.