What is a typical adolescent moral development characteristic regarding rules and authority?

• A. Complete rejection of rules and authority.
• B. Morality evolves toward postconventional thinking only.
• C. Movement toward conventional morality with emphasis on maintaining social order; some may reach postconventional.
• D. Morality is determined entirely by authority figures.

Answer: (C)

Adolescents typically reason morally at the conventional level, meaning they focus on maintaining social order and following rules because they help people function in a community. They care about doing what is expected by authorities, teachers, and peers, and they see rules as important for fairness and safety. Some individuals may progress further to postconventional thinking, where morality is evaluated against broader principles such as justice and rights. This combination—moving toward conventional morality with an eye toward social order, with a possibility of reaching postconventional levels—best matches typical adolescent development. The other views don’t fit because outright rejection of rules is not the common pattern in adolescence, morality isn’t confined only to postconventional thinking, and morality isn’t determined entirely by authority figures.