In which of Kohlberg's stages of moral development is moral reasoning based on rewards and punishments from authority figures?

Moral reasoning based on rewards and punishments from authority figures is characteristic of the Pre-conventional stage of Kohlberg's moral development theory. In this stage, individuals, typically children, focus on direct consequences to themselves. Their decisions and judgments about what is right or wrong are heavily influenced by the potential outcomes of their actions, specifically whether they will be rewarded or punished.

At this level, moral reasoning lacks a broader social perspective or understanding of societal norms. Instead, it is fundamentally self-centered, as individuals make choices primarily to avoid negative consequences or to gain positive reinforcement. This stage lays the foundation for more complex moral reasoning that develops in later stages, where individuals begin to consider the perspectives of others and the expectations of society.

The other stages represent differing levels of moral reasoning that integrate broader social contracts and ethical principles, which are not the focus in the Pre-conventional stage.