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In Kohlberg's stages of moral development, what is the first level where a child's behavior is governed by the consequences of the behavior?

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User Selene
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Final answer:

The child's behavior is first governed by consequences in the pre-conventional level of Kohlberg's moral development stages, eventually moving to conventional and then post-conventional stages, where societal norms and ethical principles guide behavior.

Step-by-step explanation:

In Lawrence Kohlberg's stages of moral development, the first level where a child's behavior is governed by the consequences of the behavior is the pre-conventional level. At this stage, the moral reasoning of young children is based essentially on the physical consequences actions may lead to, typically focused on avoiding punishment or gaining rewards.

When it comes to conventional morality, which occurs during the teen years, children start to internalize societal norms about what is right and wrong, often influenced by their desire to be accepted by others and maintain social order. This is evidenced in choices that reflect social conventions and a focus on upholding laws and rules.

Lastly, in the post-conventional stage, individuals develop the capacity for abstract thinking about moral principles, which can sometimes conflict with legal standards. Only a few attain this level of moral reasoning, where the concept of justice is based on universal ethical principles.

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User Senad
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