Question

Emily is accused of stealing money to help support her husband's drug habit. When asked why she did it, she responded, A good wife is supposed to take care of her husband. Her response represents _______ moral reasoning.

a) Conventional
b) Post-conventional
c) Pre-conventional
d) Non-conventional

Answer 1

Emily's justification for stealing money aligns with conventional moral reasoning, suggesting she adheres to societal expectations of being a supportive spouse.

Step-by-step explanation:

Emily's response that she stole money because 'A good wife is supposed to take care of her husband,' represents conventional moral reasoning. In the context of Lawrence Kohlberg's stages of moral development, conventional moral reasoning occurs during adolescence when individuals base their moral decisions on social rules and the expectations of others. Specifically, Emily's justification is rooted in societal roles and expectations, indicating that she is aligning her actions with the conventional belief that a spouse should support their partner, irrespective of the legality of the actions involved.