GILLIGAN’S THEORY

•  Pre-conventional Level

This is the same as Kohlberg’s first level in that the person is preoccupied with self-centered reasoning, caring for the needs and desires of self.

•  Conventional level

Here the thinking is opposite in that, one is preoccupied with not hurting others and a willingness to sacrifice one’s own interests in order to help or nurture others (or retain friendship).

•  Post-conventional Level

Achieved through context-oriented  reasoning, rather than by applying abstract rules ranked in a hierarchy of importance. Here the individual becomes able to strike  a reasoned balance  between caring about other people and pursuing one’s own self- interest while exercising one’s rights.