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Level 3: POSTCONVENTIONAL MORALITY
The postconventional level is also known as the principled
level of moral development. At this level, there is a growing
awareness that an individual's perspective and principles
may take precedence over societies views and rules. Laws
are not seen as rigid, rather they are like social contracts
that can be changed when it is necessary to meet the
greatest good for the greatest number of people. In the
Postconventional level, individuals live by their own ethical
principles related to life, liberty and justice.

Stage 5: Social Contract and Individual Rights
At this stage, an individual sees others as holding different
opinions, rights and values and there is a view that
perspectives should be mutually respected as unique.
People at this stage of development still believe in rules, but
are more interested in majority decision-making. Rules that
don't serve the greatest good for the greatest number of
people need to be changed. Postconventional moralists live
by their own ethical principles including basic human rights
as life, liberty, and justice. Ideally rules can maintain the
general social order and protect human rights and when
they do not, the rules are questioned. Theoretically,
democratic government follows stage 5 reasoning. Some
theorists theorize that many people never reach the
postconventional level of abstract moral reasoning.

What can be expected from a normally
developing 8 - 12 year old?
Look for the following:
8 to 12 yrs Behaviors related to doing things to
please others

Lying to protect someone else or to align
with someone