Jason and Julia arrive home from school and are trying to decide whether or not they should have a cookie. Jason says "mom didn't give us permission and we might get caught." Julie responds "I think it will be OK as long as we don't make a mess, because we are still three hours from dinnertime. Jason is at the _________ stage of moral reasoning, and Julia is at the ________ stage.
A) preconventional; preconventional
B) conventional; conventional
C) conventional; preconventional
D) preconventional; conventional

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Jason's reasoning is focused on the consequences of his actions (getting caught and facing punishment) which is characteristic of the preconventional stage. Julia's reasoning takes into account the rules set by their mother and the impact their actions may have on those rules, which is more characteristic of the conventional stage. Therefore, Jason is at the preconventional stage of moral reasoning and Julia is at the conventional stage.

Jason and Julia Arrive Home from School and Are Trying