At which level of Lawrence Kohlberg’s moral reasoning, do children typically believe that people should live up to the expectations of the society and behave in ‘‘good’’ ways ?
Correct Answer :
Conventional level
Solution :
The correct option is Conventional level.
Lawrence Kohlberg proposed a comprehensive theory on the stages of moral development, categorizing it into three main levels, each containing two sub-stages:
1. Pre-conventional Level: Morality is externally controlled. Children obey rules to avoid punishment or to gain concrete rewards.
2. Conventional Level: Morality is centered around social rules and expectations. Individuals focus on living up to social expectations, maintaining social order, and behaving in "good" ways (often referred to as the "good boy-nice girl" orientation).
3. Post-conventional Level: Morality is defined in terms of abstract principles and values, where individuals recognize that rules are mechanisms for maintaining social order, but can be questioned or modified if they conflict with universal ethical principles.
Therefore, believing that people should live up to societal expectations and act in socially approved "good" ways is the defining characteristic of the Conventional level of moral reasoning.
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