Correct option is A
In Kohlberg's theory of moral development, children's reasoning that revolves around the ethics of law occurs in the stage of conventional morality. This stage is typically evident in adolescence and adulthood but can begin to manifest in later childhood. Conventional morality is the second of Kohlberg’s three levels of moral development, and it consists of the third and fourth stages of his six-stage theory. During this level, individuals' moral reasoning is primarily based on societal norms and laws. They believe in following rules and laws because they are the rules and laws, and they emphasize the importance of maintaining social order. The focus is on conformity, being nice, and considering society's expectations and laws as guiding principles for what is right and wrong.
Information Booster:
(b) Heteronomous morality, often associated with Piaget’s theory of moral development, describes the stage where children view rules as fixed and handed down by authorities. It is more about unilateral respect for authority rather than the broader societal focus seen in Kohlberg’s conventional morality.
(c) Autonomous morality, also stemming from Piaget’s work, is when individuals begin to understand that rules are based on mutual agreements and can be changed by consensus. It reflects a more advanced level of moral understanding than is typically emphasized in Kohlberg's conventional stage.
(d) Pre-conventional morality is the first level in Kohlberg’s model, where moral reasoning is based on direct consequences to the individual, such as punishment avoidance and the pursuit of personal gain, rather than societal laws or norms.