Which statement best describes Stage 5 in Kohlberg's Moral Development?

• A. Based on preserving social contracts arising from cooperative collaboration.
• B. Based on obedience to authority.
• C. Based on universal ethical principles.
• D. Based on personal gain.

Answer: (A)

Stage 5 is about morality grounded in social contracts and the protection of individual rights. People reason that rules are created through cooperative agreement to promote the common good, but they also recognize that laws should be revisable if they fail to safeguard fundamental rights or justice. This is why preserving social contracts arising from cooperative collaboration is the best description. The other ideas fit earlier or later stages—obedience to authority reflects rule-following for punishment avoidance, personal gain reflects self-interest, and universal ethical principles refer to a principled, abstract standard beyond specific laws.