He believes teachers could be more effective in their questioning if they had a better understanding of what he calls “moral stage theory”. This is a developmental model, in which young children’s typically egocentric and punishment-oriented phase of morality (for instance, if you ask a young child why it is wrong to steal, they will tend to say “because you¹ll get put in prison”), with guidance later matures into a more abstract and empathetic understanding, whereby moral rules are more fully internalised. Helping a child on towards this more mature understanding can do a great deal to alleviate self-centred or aggressive behaviour towards others.