Question

The nurse in a pediatric health care setting is using Kohlberg's developmental theory. A child is evaluated as having reached level I, the preconventional level, if the child:

1. Makes sure that he or she is not late for school
2. Cleans the blackboards after school for the teacher
3. Runs for school council in order to change policies
4. Stays away from peer groups that harass other children

Answer 1

A child at the preconventional level of Kohlberg's developmental theory is motivated by self-interest and consequences like rewards or punishment, hence not identified by an awareness of societal rules which forms in the conventional stage.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse in a pediatric health care setting is assessing a child's moral development using Kohlberg's developmental theory. A child at Level I, the preconventional level, is primarily motivated by self-interest and the consequences of their actions, such as punishment or rewards, rather than any deeper understanding of societal rules or ethics. Therefore, the child who stays away from peer groups that harass other children is not at the preconventional level as this behavior indicates an awareness of societal norms which develop in the conventional stage of moral development. The correct behavior showing the preconventional level could be cleaning the blackboards after school for the teacher, which could be interpreted as seeking approval or avoiding disapproval which is consistent with preconventional reasoning based on immediate physical consequences of action.