Human Growth and Development CLEP Prep Practice Exam

When does conventional morality begin to emerge during development?

1. Middle childhood

2. Early childhood

3. Infancy

4. Adolescence

The correct answer is: Middle childhood

Conventional morality, also known as conventional stage of moral development, is theorized by Lawrence Kohlberg to be the third of the six stages of moral development. This stage is characterized by individuals conforming to societal norms and rules, and valuing social order and authority. According to Kohlberg, conventional morality typically starts to emerge during middle childhood, around the age of 9 or 10. During this stage, children begin to internalize societal values and standards, and become more concerned with maintaining social order and avoiding punishment. Option B, early childhood, is incorrect because during this stage children are still in a preconventional stage of moral development, where their actions are guided by self-interest and they have not yet developed a sense of societal rules and norms. Option C, infancy, is also incorrect because infants are in the preconventional stage of moral development and do not have