Final answer:
Children in the preconventional stage of Kohlberg's moral development theory focus on personal satisfaction without a sense of right and wrong. As they grow older, they progress to the conventional and eventually postconventional stages, considering societal rules and abstract principles. Carol Gilligan's critique of Kohlberg's theory introduces gender differences in moral development.
Step-by-step explanation:
In Kohlberg's theory of moral development, children in the preconventional stage focus on personal needs to be satisfied and recognize no right and wrong. This stage typifies very young children who see the world solely through their own perspective and experience. As cognitive abilities develop, they progress to the conventional stage during adolescence, becoming more aware of others' feelings and societal rules. Eventually, some reach the postconventional stage, where they understand that legality and morality are not always aligned and think in abstract, principled terms.
Carol Gilligan criticized Kohlberg's theory, arguing it may not adequately represent the moral development of females and suggested that gender differences in moral reasoning exist. According to Gilligan, boys tend to focus on justice and laws, while girls are more likely to adopt a perspective of care and responsibility, basing moral decisions on interpersonal relationships and the needs of others.