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Lying will occur more often in this age band than in the
previous age band. Lying serves as a way to increase
autonomy. Lying to friends and family members is mostly
due to divergence from family beliefs (Perkins & Turiel,
2007).

As adolescence progresses, youth enter into intimate and
romantic relationships. There are many significant
decisions that need to be made that have far-reaching
implications. There are many role-taking opportunities
during adolescence and identity and autonomy are shaped
by moral decision-making related to these roles.

Most adolescents hover back and forth between Level 2
Conventional Morality (Stage 4) and Level 3
Postconventional Morality (Stage 5). Others are still
developing and demonstrate an earlier Conventional
Morality (stage 3 - see 8-12 year olds).

Level 2: CONVENTIONAL MORALITY
Throughout Conventional Morality , a youth's sense of
morality is tied to personal and societal relationships. Youth
continue to accept the rules of authority figures, but this is
now due to their belief that this is necessary to ensure
positive relationships and societal order. Adherence to
rules and conventions is somewhat rigid during these
stages, and a rule's appropriateness or fairness is seldom
questioned.

Stage 4: Maintaining Social Order
In stage 4, the focus is on obeying laws and social
conventions because these things ensure that society can
function. Once in stage 4 of moral development, behavior
is no longer based on individual approval, rather the idea is
that there are central ideals that prescribe what is right and