At the Conventional level, people's moral decisions are influenced by:

The correct answer is 'Relationships and social order'

Key Points

• Conventional level of moral development:
  • The conventional level of moral development, as proposed by Lawrence Kohlberg, is the second of three levels in his theory of moral development.
  • At this stage, individuals' moral decisions are influenced by their adherence to rules and the expectations of society.
  • People at this level believe that maintaining social order and fulfilling social roles are important for the functioning of society.
  • They make decisions based on how they align with societal norms, laws, and the expectations of others.

Additional Information

• Rewards and punishments:
  • Decisions based on rewards and punishments pertain to the pre-conventional level of moral development, where behavior is guided by external consequences rather than internalized values.
  • At this stage, children make decisions to avoid punishment or gain rewards.
• Higher ethical principles:
  • Higher ethical principles are associated with the post-conventional level of moral development, where individuals follow universal ethical principles and personal conscience.
  • Decisions are made based on abstract reasoning about what is right, justice, and equality, regardless of societal norms.
• Personal benefits:
  • Decisions based on personal benefits can also be linked to the pre-conventional level, where actions are taken primarily for personal gain or to avoid negative outcomes.
  • This approach is more self-centered and does not consider broader societal implications.