A child in the imperial self stage has reached a new capacity for rational thought. S/he can now distinquish between fantasy and reality and often relishes in his/her understanding of reason. The child now orders his/her world with a linear narrative predictability. Seeing everything through the perspective of cause and effect children of the mythic-literal stage tend to view God as an anthropomorphic parent deity who will reward the good, and punish the bad.
A child of this stage is not yet aware of the internal motivations for their behaviors, nor are they able to recognize the interior landscape of another person either. Actions whether directed towards other people or God will inevitably be charecterized by bargaining and the expectation of reward for good behavior.
