Final answer:
The true statement regarding Kohlberg's stages of moral development is that progression through the levels occurs as morality becomes more internal or mature, which encompasses Kohlberg's preconventional, conventional, and postconventional levels, and acknowledges the criticism of potential gender bias addressed by Carol Gilligan.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct option is D:
The true statement regarding Kohlberg's stages of moral development is: D. Progression through the levels occurs as morality becomes more internal or mature.Kohlberg's theory of moral development consists of three levels: preconventional, conventional, and postconventional. In the preconventional stage, individuals, primarily children, base their moral decisions on the physical consequences of actions. It is not until the conventional stage that people begin to consider the feelings of others and societal norms. Finally, the postconventional stage is characterized by an understanding that rules and laws are not always in alignment with personal principles. This stage often emerges in adulthood as individuals think more abstractly about morality.
Despite Kohlberg's comprehensive work on moral development, it has been criticized for its potential gender bias. Kohlberg's research primarily involved male subjects, which led Carol Gilligan to propose that males and females might have differing moral perspectives. Her own research suggests that while males often adopt a justice perspective, focusing on rules and laws, females tend to have a care and responsibility perspective, emphasizing interpersonal relationships and the intentions behind actions.