What is the primary characteristic of the preconventional level of Kohlberg's stages of moral development?

The primary characteristic of the preconventional level of Kohlberg's stages of moral development is centered around the concepts of avoiding punishment and seeking rewards. In this stage, which typically occurs in early childhood, individuals make moral decisions based on direct consequences to themselves rather than on societal rules or norms. Children at this level operate under a self-centered moral framework, where actions are judged as good or bad based purely on the immediate benefits or consequences they bring to the self.

For instance, a child may refrain from stealing a cookie because they fear getting punished, or they may help a peer not out of a sense of morality but to receive praise or a treat in return. This simplistic moral reasoning forms the foundation for later stages where social norms and ethical principles become more significant considerations.