Final answer:
The conventional stage in Lawrence Kohlberg's theory of moral development involves children beginning to consider societal norms to determine what is considered moral and immoral, moving beyond a personal understanding based solely on pain and pleasure.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to Lawrence Kohlberg's theory of moral development, the three main stages include the preconventional stage, the conventional stage, and the postconventional stage. Each of these stages represents different levels of sophistication in moral reasoning.
Preconventional Stage
In the preconventional stage, typically observed in young children, morality is understood primarily in terms of pain, pleasure, and the physical consequences of actions, without a higher level of cognitive moral understanding. Children are mainly focused on avoiding punishment and seeking rewards.
Conventional Stage
The conventional stage develops during the teenage years when individuals become capable of understanding social relationships and societal rules. At this level, morality is based on conforming to social norms and recognizing the importance of societal laws and expectations.
Postconventional Stage
Finally, the postconventional stage is characterized by a more abstract level of moral reasoning. In this stage, individuals recognize that legal and moral standpoints may not always align, and they might uphold principles that transcend individual societies, such as the belief in universal human rights.
Regarding the specific question posed, "What occurs in Lawrence Kohlberg's conventional level?" the correct answer is (c) Children begin to consider what society considers moral and immoral. In this stage, morality is developed by integrating the societal norms, laws, and rules rather than being guided solely by personal circumstances of pleasure and pain.