Lawrence Kohlberg, Harvard professor emeritus, identified six stages of moral development classified into three levels:
Level 1: Pre-conventional - The stages are (a) obedience and punishment and (b) individualism, instrumentalism and exchange
Level 2: Conventional - The stages are (c) "good boy/girl" and (d) law and order
Level 3: Post-conventional - The stages are (e) social contract and (f) finally, principled conscience
A summary I found at http://www.nd.edu/~rbarger/kohlberg.html explains that the first level is generally found at the elementary school level, with obedience given because of fear of punishment; in stage (b) above, the individual's behavior is seen as acting in his/her own best interest.
The "conventional" (Level 2) is what is found in most societies, with (c) "good boy/girl," i.e. seeking approval and (d) law and order, being law abiding and duty conscious.
"Post conventional" (Level 3), according to Kohlberg, is not reached by most people. It consists of (e) a "social contract" ("an understanding of social mutuality and a genuine interest in the welfare of others") and (f) "respect for universal principle and demands of individual conscience."
When I first learned about Kohlberg in a Psychology class I took, I immediately thought of how, as a JW, I was doomed to an elementary school mentality forever because of the spying, tattling, and threats of punishment.
I have made good progress. Hope you have, too.
Regards,
Mum