Deck 15: Seciton 1: Adolescence: Cognitive Development

Question 1

First define adolescent egocentrism and give two universal examples of it. Second, provide an example of a time when you exhibited adolescent egocentrism in your own life and name the type of egocentrism it was.

Answer 1

Adolescent egocentrism is how adolescents think intensely about themselves and about what others think of them. Two universal examples of egocentrism are adolescents' belief in the invincibility fable and the imaginary audience. The invincibility fable is the belief that nothing bad can happen to him or her because he or she is unique and immortal. This can lead to dangerous risk taking. The imaginary audience is the idea that the whole world is watching him or her and is concerned about what he or she does.
Answers for the second part will vary, but the example must clearly demonstrate the invincibility fable or the imaginary audience.

Question 2

State two risks associated with the invincibility fable and two risks associated with the imaginary audience.

Answer 2

The invincibility fable is the notion that adolescents feel immune to harm or defeat. Since they feel they cannot be harmed, they may 1) engage in dangerous, thrill-seeking acts. Potential risks include 2) physical injury, 3) death, 4) pregnancy, 5) a criminal record, and 6) alienation from one's family.
Adolescents play to the imaginary audience, believing they are the center of attention and everyone is watching them. Risks associated with the imaginary audience include 1) reluctance to engage in social situations unless everything is perfect-such as when an adolescent refuses to go to school with the "wrong" clothes, shoes, or hairstyle, 2) depression caused by negative opinions about oneself or one's body image, and 3) a preoccupation with being popular to such an extent that academics suffer.

Question 3

What typically happens to student achievement and behavior during middle school? What are two factors that contribute to this pattern?

Answer 3

For many middle school students, academic achievement declines and behavioral problems rise. There are many factors that contribute to this pattern. 1) Puberty is part of the problem. 2) Middle schools undermine student-teacher relationships. Unlike earlier school years, when each classroom has one primary teacher all year, 3) middle school teachers have hundreds of students. This makes them impersonal and distant: 4) their students learn less and 5) risk more. Also, 6) middle schools typically require students to change rooms, teachers, and classmates every 40 minutes or so. That 7) makes public acclaim and new friendships difficult. 8) Recognition for academic excellence is especially elusive, because middle school teachers mark more harshly. 9) Many middle school students seek acceptance from their peers rather than teachers.

Question 4

Explain what PISA (Programme for International Student Assessment) is and describe how U.S. students perform on this assessment compared to their international peers.

Question 5

Thoroughly define analytic thinking and intuitive thinking. Tell which adolescents tend to use to a greater extent and why.

Question 6

Explain what is meant by cyberbullying, who is most likely to be involved, and two potential effects of cyberbullying on the victim.

Question 7

Explain what is meant by the digital divide. Does it still remain? What is the most notable factor associated with the digital divide?

Question 8

Define secondary education and indicate why it is important for individuals and nations.

Question 9

Differentiate between inductive and deductive reasoning and offer an example of each.