At Kohlberg's conventional level, which statement best describes moral reasoning?

At Kohlberg's conventional level, which statement best describes moral reasoning?

• A. Obedience to authority and avoidance of punishment
• B. Following societal laws and duties
• C. Acceptance by peers
• D. Personal ethical principles

Answer: (B)

At Kohlberg's conventional level, moral reasoning centers on conforming to social rules and maintaining order in society. Choosing that people should follow societal laws and duties reflects valuing those rules as the basis for right and wrong, which is the hallmark of this level. The idea is that individuals reason about morality in terms of how their actions fit into the expectations of others and the functioning of the social system. Obedience to authority and avoidance of punishment belongs to the earlier, preconventional stage where actions are driven by personal risk or reward. Acceptance by peers touches on desire for social approval (stage 3) but doesn’t capture the broader emphasis on upholding laws and duties that characterizes the conventional level. Personal ethical principles, on the other hand, align with the postconventional level, where universal principles guide judgment.

At Kohlberg's conventional level, moral reasoning centers on conforming to social rules and maintaining order in society. Choosing that people should follow societal laws and duties reflects valuing those rules as the basis for right and wrong, which is the hallmark of this level. The idea is that individuals reason about morality in terms of how their actions fit into the expectations of others and the functioning of the social system. Obedience to authority and avoidance of punishment belongs to the earlier, preconventional stage where actions are driven by personal risk or reward. Acceptance by peers touches on desire for social approval (stage 3) but doesn’t capture the broader emphasis on upholding laws and duties that characterizes the conventional level. Personal ethical principles, on the other hand, align with the postconventional level, where universal principles guide judgment.