Which of the following best describes Kohlberg's moral stages?

Kohlberg's stages of moral development are structured in three major levels: preconventional, conventional, and postconventional. This model outlines the progression of moral reasoning as individuals grow and mature, focusing on how people's understanding of right and wrong evolves through distinct phases.

At the preconventional level, individuals base moral decisions mostly on their own interests and the consequences of their actions, often seeking to avoid punishment or achieve rewards. The conventional level involves conforming to societal norms and rules, where the individual's moral reasoning is influenced by the desire to be accepted and maintain the social order. Finally, the postconventional level is characterized by the ability to understand universal ethical principles and make decisions based on abstract reasoning and the social contract rather than simply adhering to laws or expectations.

The other choices do represent different theories and frameworks for understanding moral philosophy, but they do not align with Kohlberg's specific model nor reflect the stages he proposed. Thus, the correct answer is the one that accurately summarizes Kohlberg's framework for understanding moral reasoning development.