Final answer:
The behavior of Joan distancing herself from Kelis suggests a stage of moral development where one prioritizes self-concern, which could correlate with the first stage of Carol Gilligan's theory of moral development.
Step-by-step explanation:
The behavior described in the question refers to a stage in which Joan is distancing herself from Kelis and avoiding communication. This disengagement is reminiscent of the stages of moral development as described by Carol Gilligan, specifically where a person might withdraw to focus on self-concern.
While Gilligan's theory primarily addresses women's moral development, the concept can be applied more broadly to understand relational dynamics.
In Gilligan's framework, the first stage involves focusing on self-concern and independence, the second stage is about connecting and caring for others, and the third stage is a balance of the first two, caring equally for self and others.
Joan's actions could be seen as an expression of the first stage, where a person might prioritize their own needs and withdraw from relationships to protect or clarify personal boundaries. It represents a reversion to focusing on self-concern, perhaps after experiencing the complexities of the second stage.