<P> The understanding gained in each stage is retained in later stages, but may be regarded by those in later stages as simplistic, lacking in sufficient attention to detail . </P> <P> The pre-conventional level of moral reasoning is especially common in children, although adults can also exhibit this level of reasoning . Reasoners at this level judge the morality of an action by its direct consequences . The pre-conventional level consists of the first and second stages of moral development and is solely concerned with the self in an egocentric manner . A child with pre-conventional morality has not yet adopted or internalized society's conventions regarding what is right or wrong but instead focuses largely on external consequences that certain actions may bring . </P> <P> In Stage one (obedience and punishment driven), individuals focus on the direct consequences of their actions on themselves . For example, an action is perceived as morally wrong because the perpetrator is punished . "The last time I did that I got spanked, so I will not do it again ." The worse the punishment for the act is, the more "bad" the act is perceived to be . This can give rise to an inference that even innocent victims are guilty in proportion to their suffering . It is "egocentric", lacking recognition that others' points of view are different from one's own . There is "deference to superior power or prestige". </P> <P> An example of obedience and punishment driven morality would be a child refusing to do something because it is wrong and that the consequences could result in punishment . For example, a child's classmate tries to dare the child to skip school . The child would apply obedience and punishment driven morality by refusing to skip school because he would get punished . </P>

What is the ideal stage of moral development