Which description best characterizes Conventional Morality?

• A. Making moral decisions based on self-interest
• B. Making moral decisions based on other people's expectations
• C. Making moral decisions based on a personal code of ethics
• D. Making moral decisions based on religious doctrine

Answer: (B)

Conventional Morality focuses on following social norms and pleasing others. At this stage, people judge right and wrong by how their actions align with what others expect and by maintaining harmony in relationships and with authorities. The description that moral decisions are based on other people's expectations captures that drive to conform and seek approval, rather than acting for personal gain or strictly following a personal code or religious rules.

Choosing based on self-interest reflects a more basic, self-focused level of reasoning. A personal code of ethics points to a higher, principled standard often associated with postconventional thinking. Relying on religious doctrine can guide behavior, but it’s not the defining feature of conventional morality, which centers on social expectations and approval.