According to Lawrence Kohlberg's theory of moral development, the conventional level represents a stage where morality is based on social norms and rules.
Kohlberg's Conventional Morality Stage
During the conventional morality stage (typically spanning ages 10-13 and beyond), individuals' moral reasoning focuses on:
- Maintaining social order and upholding laws and rules.
- Understanding the perspective of others and conforming to social expectations.
Reasons for Moral Behavior in Conventional Morality
Kohlberg identified two primary motivations for moral behavior during this stage:
- Gaining acceptance: Individuals act morally to be viewed positively by their social group (family, peers, society) and to fit in. They want to be seen as a "good boy" or "good girl."
- Avoiding censure by others: Individuals adhere to rules and laws primarily to avoid disapproval, punishment, or negative social judgment from authority figures or society.
These motivations reflect an understanding of social rules but are still externally focused, emphasizing social approval and the avoidance of negative consequences.
Important Questions from Kohlberg’s Theory of Moral Development
Match List - I with List - II.
List - I List - II (A) Obedience Orientation (I) Moral reasoning based on winning the approval of others (B) Interpersonal norms (II) Moral reasoning based on moral principles that apply to all (C) Social contract (III) Moral reasoning based on the belief that adults know what is right or wrong (D) Universal ethical principles (IV) Moral reasoning is based on the belief that laws are for the good of all members of society - Arrange in accordance with Kohlberg’s stages of moral understanding.
I. Instrumental purpose orientation.
II. Punishment and obedience orientation.
III. Social-order-maintaining orientation.
IV. Good boy-good girl orientation.
Codes : - Arrange the following stages of moral development in sequence of their emergence as
individual grows up
(a) Morality of interpersonal cooperation
(b) Universal ethical principle orientation
(c) Social order maintaining orientation
(d) Instrumental purpose orientation
Choose the correct option: Match the following stages of Kohlberg's moral development theory with their characteristics :
Moral Stages Characteristics (a) Conforming obtain reward (i) Getting the approval of others (b) Maintaining social order (ii) Stage based on self- interest (c) Good interpersonal relationships (iii) Eternal value accepted by conscience (d) Universal ethical principles (iv) Importance of justice and law Choose the correct code:
- At which stage of Lawrence Köhlberg's moral development are individuals' judgements based on principles of justice and not limited to those defined by the societal laws ?
