{ 1 } - studies the nature and methodology of moral judgments.
{ 2 } - studies principles about how we ought to live. It looks for norms about what is right or wrong, worthwhile, virtuous, or just.
{ 3 } - studies the psychological causes or stages of moral beliefs.

Normative ethics has two levels:

NORMATIVE THEORY looks for very general moral principles -- like "We ought always to do whatever maximizes the total pleasure for everyone."

APPLIED ETHICS studies specific moral issues like abortion or lying, or moral questions in areas like business or medicine.