Question 1

Which one of the following is the best example of social cognition?

Accepted Answer

A)  Matt refuses to do the tasks his teacher assigns because he doesn't want to look foolish when he fails at them. 
B)  Julie and Isabelle giggle as they try to imitate the obnoxious arrogance of the head cheerleader. 
C)  Rhonda needs to be around other people all the time; she gets bored when she has to entertain herself. 
D)  Luke tries to predict how Sheila might respond if he backs out of the science project the two of them have agreed to do together. 
A)  Matt refuses to do the tasks his teacher assigns because he doesn't want to look foolish when he fails at them. 
B)  Julie and Isabelle giggle as they try to imitate the obnoxious arrogance of the head cheerleader. 
C)  Rhonda needs to be around other people all the time; she gets bored when she has to entertain herself. 
D)  Luke tries to predict how Sheila might respond if he backs out of the science project the two of them have agreed to do together. D

Question 2

The four teachers below are hoping to improve their students' sense of self. Which one will probably be least effective in doing so?

Accepted Answer

A)  Mr. Anderson helps his students be successful at math word problems. 
B)  Ms. Berry often tells her students how wonderful they are. 
C)  Mr. Carrera helps his students improve their creative writing skills. 
D)  Ms. D'Amato helps her students throw a softball farther. 
A)  Mr. Anderson helps his students be successful at math word problems. 
B)  Ms. Berry often tells her students how wonderful they are. 
C)  Mr. Carrera helps his students improve their creative writing skills. 
D)  Ms. D'Amato helps her students throw a softball farther. B

Question 3

Lamont worries that he has unintentionally hurt another student's feelings. From this information alone, we can reasonably conclude that Lamont:

Accepted Answer

A)  Must be at least ten years old 
B)  Is able to think androgynously 
C)  Is capable of recursive thinking 
D)  Has developed a theory of mind 
A)  Must be at least ten years old 
B)  Is able to think androgynously 
C)  Is capable of recursive thinking 
D)  Has developed a theory of mind D

Question 4

In talking with a group of 8-year-olds, you discover that they have rigid yet erroneous beliefs about a particular racial group. Which one of the following should you conclude?

Accepted Answer

A)  Their stereotypes will probably become even more rigid as they progress through the elementary grades and then will gradually dissipate in adolescence. 
B)  Although undesirable, such stereotypes are common for the age-group and reflect a natural tendency to categorize experiences. 
C)  These children appear to be prone to hostile attributional biases. 
D)  These stereotypes reflect a poorly developed theory of mind. 
A)  Their stereotypes will probably become even more rigid as they progress through the elementary grades and then will gradually dissipate in adolescence. 
B)  Although undesirable, such stereotypes are common for the age-group and reflect a natural tendency to categorize experiences. 
C)  These children appear to be prone to hostile attributional biases. 
D)  These stereotypes reflect a poorly developed theory of mind.

Question 5

Why is a child's "theory of mind" important for social interaction? In your answer, clearly define "theory of mind" in your own words and identify specific social-cognitive behaviors from at least two different developmental periods that influence interactions with others.
Developmental Trends Table
The table below presents examples of children's and adolescents' understandings of themselves or others, describes the relevant developmental concepts, and offers implications for adults working with each age group. Apply what you've learned about the development of sense of self and social cognition to fill in the empty cells in the table.
Determining How Children Think About Themselves and Others

Accepted Answer

Theory of mind is defined in the text as

Question 6

What can adults do to foster children's theory of mind?

Accepted Answer

A)  Encourage children to think about other people's thoughts and feelings 
B)  Be aware that children encounter a lot of aggression and violence in their homes and communities 
C)  Make social studies an important part of the curriculum beginning in first grade 
D)  Make sure that children are raised in a cooperative or competitive social environment 
A)  Encourage children to think about other people's thoughts and feelings 
B)  Be aware that children encounter a lot of aggression and violence in their homes and communities 
C)  Make social studies an important part of the curriculum beginning in first grade 
D)  Make sure that children are raised in a cooperative or competitive social environment

Question 7

Which one of these examples best reflects the role that children's and adolescents' sense of self typically plays in their behavior?

Accepted Answer

A)  Linda knows she is a good reader, so she takes an extra reading class as an elective. 
B)  Kim doesn't want to take any more math classes because she knows she's already good at math. 
C)  Melissa thinks of herself as physically fit, so she doesn't think she needs to participate in sports or other physical activities. 
D)  Nettie doesn't think she is very popular, so she smiles at others and tries to talk to them so they will like her. 
A)  Linda knows she is a good reader, so she takes an extra reading class as an elective. 
B)  Kim doesn't want to take any more math classes because she knows she's already good at math. 
C)  Melissa thinks of herself as physically fit, so she doesn't think she needs to participate in sports or other physical activities. 
D)  Nettie doesn't think she is very popular, so she smiles at others and tries to talk to them so they will like her.

Question 8

Sixteen-year-old Reynelda has known since she was a preschooler that she will become a teacher. Her grandmother was a teacher, and her mother and two aunts are teachers. She's never really even thought about any other occupation. Reynelda can best be described as showing:

Accepted Answer

A)  foreclosure 
B)  moratorium 
C)  identity diffusion 
D)  identity achievement 
A)  foreclosure 
B)  moratorium 
C)  identity diffusion 
D)  identity achievement

Question 9

Some adolescents regularly face discrimination within society. For instance, members of ethnic or racial minority groups, gay and lesbian teens, and youngsters with disabilities are often the targets of prejudice and discrimination. What unique issues and challenges do these adolescents face as they strive to form an adult identity?

Accepted Answer

In addition to addressing the usual adol

Question 10

As children grow older, they are more likely to:

Accepted Answer

A)  Be satisfied with low levels of performance 
B)  Hold themselves to unrealistically high standards for performance 
C)  Evaluate their own performance in terms of how it compares with that of their peers 
D)  Evaluate their own performance in terms of how much improvement it shows over time 
A)  Be satisfied with low levels of performance 
B)  Hold themselves to unrealistically high standards for performance 
C)  Evaluate their own performance in terms of how it compares with that of their peers 
D)  Evaluate their own performance in terms of how much improvement it shows over time

Question 11

Which one of the following reflects intentionality as an aspect of an infant's theory of mind?

Accepted Answer

A)  When Angie's father starts running water in the bathtub, she knows that he's getting ready to give her a bath. 
B)  Benjamin is puzzled by all the colorful decorations that the family puts around the house in December. 
C)  Cristina loves to look at all the photographs in her mother's fashion magazines, but she is quite surprised when Mom scolds her for ripping some of the pages. 
D)  Desmond sees a giant teddy bear across the room and immediately crawls over to get it. 
A)  When Angie's father starts running water in the bathtub, she knows that he's getting ready to give her a bath. 
B)  Benjamin is puzzled by all the colorful decorations that the family puts around the house in December. 
C)  Cristina loves to look at all the photographs in her mother's fashion magazines, but she is quite surprised when Mom scolds her for ripping some of the pages. 
D)  Desmond sees a giant teddy bear across the room and immediately crawls over to get it.

Question 12

Sharon is a 12-year-old who does not believe that she can be academically successful. Considering the textbook's discussion of factors that promote positive self-perceptions, you should:

Accepted Answer

A)  Tell her at least once a day that she is smarter than she thinks she is. 
B)  Tell her that social skills are more important than academics anyway. 
C)  Put her in situations in which she will experience academic success. 
D)  Foster a friendship between Sharon and a student who is academically gifted. 
A)  Tell her at least once a day that she is smarter than she thinks she is. 
B)  Tell her that social skills are more important than academics anyway. 
C)  Put her in situations in which she will experience academic success. 
D)  Foster a friendship between Sharon and a student who is academically gifted.

Question 13

Elena woke up this morning with a large pimple on her nose. She refuses to go to school, telling her mother, "It looks awful, and everyone will laugh at me." Which one of the following concepts best helps us explain Elena's behavior?

Accepted Answer

A)  identity crisis 
B)  personal fable 
C)  low self-efficacy 
D)  imaginary audience 
A)  identity crisis 
B)  personal fable 
C)  low self-efficacy 
D)  imaginary audience

Question 14

Darien knows that he wants to work with children when he grows up, but he wonders if he'd rather be a pediatrician or a teacher. This situation illustrates what important function that youngsters' sense of self serves?

Accepted Answer

A)  It influences how they react to certain events. 
B)  It helps them think about possible future selves. 
C)  It helps them make sense of things that happen to them. 
D)  It motivates them to engage in behaviors to which other people will respond favorably. 
A)  It influences how they react to certain events. 
B)  It helps them think about possible future selves. 
C)  It helps them make sense of things that happen to them. 
D)  It motivates them to engage in behaviors to which other people will respond favorably.

Question 15

The formation of children's sense of self is most strongly influenced by:

Accepted Answer

A)  The self-concepts of their parents 
B)  Their inherited temperaments 
C)  How other people treat them 
D)  Their athletic ability 
A)  The self-concepts of their parents 
B)  Their inherited temperaments 
C)  How other people treat them 
D)  Their athletic ability

Question 16

Given what we know about changes in children's and adolescents' self-esteem over the years, which teachers should be especially careful to help students acquire a positive sense of self?

Accepted Answer

A)  Third- and fourth-grade teachers 
B)  Junior high school teachers 
C)  High school teachers who teach advanced courses 
D)  High school coaches and physical education teachers 
A)  Third- and fourth-grade teachers 
B)  Junior high school teachers 
C)  High school teachers who teach advanced courses 
D)  High school coaches and physical education teachers

Question 17

Given what we know about the development and effects of children's sense of self, three of the following are likely scenarios. Which scenario is not likely to occur?

Accepted Answer

A)  Daniel knows he has many friends, but he wishes he were a better student. 
B)  Almost daily, Ross vacillates between thinking of himself as being very smart and as being extremely stupid. 
C)  Aaron thinks that kids his age don't like him, so he spends most of his spare time with his parents. 
D)  Rex knows he's good in math and science but thinks of himself as a complete klutz when it comes to sports. 
A)  Daniel knows he has many friends, but he wishes he were a better student. 
B)  Almost daily, Ross vacillates between thinking of himself as being very smart and as being extremely stupid. 
C)  Aaron thinks that kids his age don't like him, so he spends most of his spare time with his parents. 
D)  Rex knows he's good in math and science but thinks of himself as a complete klutz when it comes to sports.

Question 18

Which one of the following best describes the role of sense of self as a factor in children's development?

Accepted Answer

A)  Children are always comparing their own performance to that of the adults around them. 
B)  Once children reach puberty, they become especially alert to, and try to avoid, the typical dangers of life. 
C)  In the high school years especially, most students greatly underestimate their ability levels. 
D)  Most youngsters want to believe that they are competent individuals. 
A)  Children are always comparing their own performance to that of the adults around them. 
B)  Once children reach puberty, they become especially alert to, and try to avoid, the typical dangers of life. 
C)  In the high school years especially, most students greatly underestimate their ability levels. 
D)  Most youngsters want to believe that they are competent individuals.

Question 19

Children's self-concepts become increasingly stable, and therefore increasingly difficult to change, as they grow older. Using what you have learned about the development of youngsters' sense of self, choose the most likely explanation for the increasing stability of the self-concept over time:

Accepted Answer

A)  Maturational factors play a major role in the formation of the self-concept; these factors continue to unfold throughout childhood. 
B)  Research studies indicate that the self-concept has a strong genetic component. 
C)  Many teachers intuitively sense how children feel about themselves, and such intuitions invariably influence teachers' behaviors toward different children. 
D)  Children behave in ways consistent with their self-concepts, thereby reaffirming their views of themselves. 
A)  Maturational factors play a major role in the formation of the self-concept; these factors continue to unfold throughout childhood. 
B)  Research studies indicate that the self-concept has a strong genetic component. 
C)  Many teachers intuitively sense how children feel about themselves, and such intuitions invariably influence teachers' behaviors toward different children. 
D)  Children behave in ways consistent with their self-concepts, thereby reaffirming their views of themselves.

Question 20

Which one of the following teenage girls appears to have contingent self-worth?

Accepted Answer

A)  Marlene feels great some days and terrible other days, depending on how many classmates have recently smiled at her in the school corridors. 
B)  Roxanne knows she's smart because she has always done well in her schoolwork. 
C)  Shayla discovers that she is a better tennis play when she regularly practices her serve. 
D)  When Rennie plans a party, she wants to invite only the really "popular" kids. 
A)  Marlene feels great some days and terrible other days, depending on how many classmates have recently smiled at her in the school corridors. 
B)  Roxanne knows she's smart because she has always done well in her schoolwork. 
C)  Shayla discovers that she is a better tennis play when she regularly practices her serve. 
D)  When Rennie plans a party, she wants to invite only the really "popular" kids.

Which one of the following is the best example of social cognition?

The four teachers below are hoping to improve their students' sense of self. Which one will probably be least effective in doing so?

Lamont worries that he has unintentionally hurt another student's feelings. From this information alone, we can reasonably conclude that Lamont:

In talking with a group of 8-year-olds, you discover that they have rigid yet erroneous beliefs about a particular racial group. Which one of the following should you conclude?

What can adults do to foster children's theory of mind?

Which one of these examples best reflects the role that children's and adolescents' sense of self typically plays in their behavior?

Sixteen-year-old Reynelda has known since she was a preschooler that she will become a teacher. Her grandmother was a teacher, and her mother and two aunts are teachers. She's never really even thought about any other occupation. Reynelda can best be described as showing:

As children grow older, they are more likely to:

Which one of the following reflects intentionality as an aspect of an infant's theory of mind?

Sharon is a 12-year-old who does not believe that she can be academically successful. Considering the textbook's discussion of factors that promote positive self-perceptions, you should:

Elena woke up this morning with a large pimple on her nose. She refuses to go to school, telling her mother, "It looks awful, and everyone will laugh at me." Which one of the following concepts best helps us explain Elena's behavior?

Darien knows that he wants to work with children when he grows up, but he wonders if he'd rather be a pediatrician or a teacher. This situation illustrates what important function that youngsters' sense of self serves?

The formation of children's sense of self is most strongly influenced by:

Given what we know about changes in children's and adolescents' self-esteem over the years, which teachers should be especially careful to help students acquire a positive sense of self?

Given what we know about the development and effects of children's sense of self, three of the following are likely scenarios. Which scenario is not likely to occur?

Which one of the following best describes the role of sense of self as a factor in children's development?

Children's self-concepts become increasingly stable, and therefore increasingly difficult to change, as they grow older. Using what you have learned about the development of youngsters' sense of self, choose the most likely explanation for the increasing stability of the self-concept over time:

Which one of the following teenage girls appears to have contingent self-worth?

Making a Difference in the Lives of Children and Adolescents

Using Research to Understand Children and Adolescents

Family, Culture, and Community

Biological Beginnings

Physical Development

Cognitive Development: Piaget and Vygotsky

Cognitive Development: Cognitive Processes

Intelligence

Language Development

Development in the Academic Domains

Emotional Development

Development of Motivation and Self-Regulation

Moral Development

Peers, Schools, and Society

Filters

Exam 12: Development of Self and Social Understandings

Which one of the following is the best example of social cognition?

The four teachers below are hoping to improve their students' sense of self. Which one will probably be least effective in doing so?

Lamont worries that he has unintentionally hurt another student's feelings. From this information alone, we can reasonably conclude that Lamont:

In talking with a group of 8-year-olds, you discover that they have rigid yet erroneous beliefs about a particular racial group. Which one of the following should you conclude?

What can adults do to foster children's theory of mind?

Which one of these examples best reflects the role that children's and adolescents' sense of self typically plays in their behavior?

Sixteen-year-old Reynelda has known since she was a preschooler that she will become a teacher. Her grandmother was a teacher, and her mother and two aunts are teachers. She's never really even thought about any other occupation. Reynelda can best be described as showing:

As children grow older, they are more likely to:

Which one of the following reflects intentionality as an aspect of an infant's theory of mind?

Sharon is a 12-year-old who does not believe that she can be academically successful. Considering the textbook's discussion of factors that promote positive self-perceptions, you should:

Elena woke up this morning with a large pimple on her nose. She refuses to go to school, telling her mother, "It looks awful, and everyone will laugh at me." Which one of the following concepts best helps us explain Elena's behavior?

Darien knows that he wants to work with children when he grows up, but he wonders if he'd rather be a pediatrician or a teacher. This situation illustrates what important function that youngsters' sense of self serves?

The formation of children's sense of self is most strongly influenced by:

Given what we know about changes in children's and adolescents' self-esteem over the years, which teachers should be especially careful to help students acquire a positive sense of self?

Given what we know about the development and effects of children's sense of self, three of the following are likely scenarios. Which scenario is not likely to occur?

Which one of the following best describes the role of sense of self as a factor in children's development?

Children's self-concepts become increasingly stable, and therefore increasingly difficult to change, as they grow older. Using what you have learned about the development of youngsters' sense of self, choose the most likely explanation for the increasing stability of the self-concept over time:

Which one of the following teenage girls appears to have contingent self-worth?

Making a Difference in the Lives of Children and Adolescents

Using Research to Understand Children and Adolescents

Family, Culture, and Community

Biological Beginnings

Physical Development

Cognitive Development: Piaget and Vygotsky

Cognitive Development: Cognitive Processes

Intelligence

Language Development

Development in the Academic Domains

Emotional Development

Development of Motivation and Self-Regulation

Moral Development

Peers, Schools, and Society

Filters