Moral Development as presented by Carol Gilligan Gilligan posited that there are 3 stages to the moral development of an individual, especially females (Gilligan countered the theories presented by Kohlberg, Erikson, and even Freud, which mainly focused on the experiences of white males) 1) LEVEL 1: Pre-Conventional - The individual is selfish, since survival of the self is the top priority 2) LEVEL 2: Conventional - "Self-sacrifice is goodness" - care towards others is beginning to manifest at this stage 3) LEVEL 3: POST-CONVENTIONAL - Morality of non-violence - While the needs of others must be catered too, self-preservation is also accommodated at the same time - Harming of others is considered immoral