What term describes the moral reasoning based on societal rules and expectations?

The term that describes moral reasoning based on societal rules and expectations is conventional morality. This level of moral reasoning, as identified in Lawrence Kohlberg's stages of moral development, typically occurs in adolescence and beyond. Individuals in this stage understand that rules and laws are important for maintaining social order. They value conformity, approval from others, and upholding the expectations of the society they live in.

In conventional morality, people's decisions are influenced by the desire to fit in, the need for social harmony, and adherence to established laws and norms. This stage contrasts with preconventional morality, where decisions are based on self-interest and the avoidance of punishment, and postconventional morality, where individuals recognize the principles underlying societal rules and may challenge them based on abstract reasoning about justice and rights. Thus, the focus on societal norms and expectations makes conventional morality a defining characteristic of this level of moral reasoning.