Question 3 of 10 A family was very poor, and George, who is 15, stole some food so that his 2-year-old brother would have something to eat. A person who thinks that George should go to jail for this is at what moral development stage? A. Preconventional B. Postconventional C. Conventional D. Reasoning

The correct answer is:<br /><br />**A. Preconventional**<br /><br />### Explanation:<br />The **preconventional stage** of moral development, as described by Lawrence Kohlberg, focuses on self-interest and the consequences of actions. At this stage, individuals judge morality based on rules and the potential for punishment or reward. A person who believes George should go to jail for stealing food is likely reasoning at this level because they are focusing on the rule-breaking (stealing) and its consequences (punishment), rather than considering broader ethical principles or societal norms.<br /><br />In contrast:<br />- **Conventional** reasoning (Stage C) would focus on maintaining social order and adhering to societal norms, such as laws.<br />- **Postconventional** reasoning (Stage B) involves higher-level ethical principles, such as justice and human rights, which might lead someone to justify George's actions as morally acceptable given the circumstances.<br />- "Reasoning" (D) is not a valid stage in Kohlberg's theory.