Conventional Level

Definition

The conventional level is a stage of moral development in which an individual's moral reasoning is based on conformity to social norms and expectations. At this level, individuals seek to maintain the approval of others and uphold societal rules and conventions.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The conventional level is the second of Kohlberg's three levels of moral development, occurring during adolescence and early adulthood.
2. At the conventional level, individuals base their moral decisions on the desire to maintain positive relationships and avoid social disapproval.
3. Individuals at the conventional level are motivated to uphold societal rules and norms, as they view these as necessary for the smooth functioning of society.
4. The conventional level is characterized by a focus on interpersonal relationships and the need for approval from others, rather than on personal moral principles.
5. Individuals at the conventional level may struggle to think critically about the morality of societal norms and are less likely to engage in moral reasoning that challenges the status quo.

Review Questions

• Explain how the conventional level of moral development is characterized by a focus on conformity to social norms and expectations.
  • At the conventional level of moral development, individuals base their moral reasoning on the desire to maintain positive relationships and avoid social disapproval. They are motivated to uphold societal rules and norms, as they view these as necessary for the smooth functioning of society. Individuals at this level are less likely to engage in critical thinking about the morality of social conventions and are more focused on aligning their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors with the expectations of their peers and the broader community.
• Describe how the process of socialization contributes to an individual's development of moral reasoning at the conventional level.
  • The process of socialization, through which individuals acquire the values, beliefs, and behaviors necessary to function within a particular society or group, plays a crucial role in the development of moral reasoning at the conventional level. As individuals are exposed to and internalize the norms and expectations of their social environment, they come to base their moral decisions on the desire to maintain positive relationships and avoid social disapproval, rather than on personal moral principles. This focus on conformity to societal rules and conventions is a hallmark of the conventional level of moral development.
• Evaluate the potential limitations of the conventional level of moral development in terms of an individual's ability to engage in critical moral reasoning and challenge societal norms.
  • The conventional level of moral development, while important for maintaining social cohesion and order, can also limit an individual's capacity for critical moral reasoning and the ability to challenge societal norms. Individuals at this level are primarily concerned with upholding social conventions and maintaining positive relationships, rather than engaging in deeper reflection on the underlying morality of their actions or the broader implications of societal rules. This can make it difficult for individuals to think outside the bounds of established social expectations and to consider alternative moral perspectives that may challenge the status quo. As a result, the conventional level of moral development can potentially hinder an individual's ability to grow and develop their moral reasoning skills, ultimately limiting their capacity for ethical decision-making and social change.

Related terms

Kohlberg's Stages of Moral Development: A theory of moral development proposed by psychologist Lawrence Kohlberg, which outlines six stages of moral reasoning, including the conventional level.

Socialization:

The process by which individuals acquire the values, beliefs, and behaviors necessary to function within a particular society or group.

Conformity:

The act of aligning one's thoughts, feelings, or behaviors with the norms or expectations of a group or society.