In Kohlberg's first or preconventional level, the individual's moral behavior is guided by

• A. Consequences
• B. Rules
• C. Social Approval
• D. Personal Principles

Answer: (A)

In Kohlberg’s preconventional level, moral reasoning is driven by the consequences of the action for the individual. At this stage, right and wrong are seen in terms of rewards and punishments centered on the self. People judge actions by whether they will lead to a good outcome for them or help them avoid punishment, rather than by adherence to rules, concern for others’ approval, or internalized principles.

That’s why consequences are the guiding factor here. The other ideas—following rules, seeking social approval, or acting from personal principles— belong to later levels of moral development: rules and approval align with the conventional level, and personal principles align with the postconventional level.