Question 1

Jocelyn is 16 and hoping to join the Peace Corps after college and work in Bolivia. She has never traveled there, but she has read a lot about the Peace Corps and the work they are doing, and Jocelyn can see herself working there teaching English. Which stage of cognitive development is she in?

Accepted Answer

Jocelyn is in the formal operational thought stage, which typically begins around age 12 and continues into adulthood. This stage is characterized by the ability to think abstractly, reason logically, and plan for the future, as demonstrated by her envisioning herself working in Bolivia with the Peace Corps.

Question 2

In Piaget's swinging pendulum experiment, what strategies did adolescents in formal operational thought use?

Accepted Answer

Adolescents in the formal operational stage use systematic and logical thinking, allowing them to change one variable at a time to determine its effect on the pendulum's swing, leading to clear conclusions.

Question 3

Do all people think at the level of formal operational thought once they have conquered concrete operational thinking?

Accepted Answer

Not everyone needs to use formal operational thought in their daily lives or work, and some may not develop it fully if their environment does not require it.

Question 4

Which component of adolescent egocentrism is the adolescent who drinks and drives, believing that unlike others, nothing bad will happen to her is acting out?

Accepted Answer

The adolescent is exhibiting the "personal fable," a belief that they are unique and invulnerable, which leads them to think that negative consequences won't happen to them.

Question 5

Which component of adolescent egocentrism is the teenager who attempts suicide after a painful break up with her boyfriend, believing that no one would understand the pain she is going through experiencing?

Accepted Answer

The personal fable is a component of adolescent egocentrism where teenagers believe their experiences and emotions are unique and that no one else can understand what they are going through. This belief can lead to feelings of isolation and extreme actions, such as attempting suicide after a breakup.

Question 6

Shelby spends hours each morning in the bathroom applying make up before school, thinking about how others will see her when she walks into class. Which part of adolescent egocentrism is she exhibiting with this behavior?

Accepted Answer

Shelby is exhibiting the concept of the imaginary audience, where adolescents believe that others are constantly watching and evaluating them, leading to heightened self-consciousness.

Question 7

Which part of adolescent egocentrism allows the adolescent to consider issues of social injustice?

Accepted Answer

Naïve idealism is a characteristic of adolescent egocentrism that involves the ability to envision ideal scenarios and consider possibilities, which can lead adolescents to think about and address issues of social injustice.

Question 8

How do teens executive processes compare to those of younger children?

Accepted Answer

Teens generally have more developed executive processes compared to younger children due to the maturation of the prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for higher-order cognitive functions.

Question 9

When Eduardo's third grade teacher asks the class a question, Eduardo yells out the answer even though he has been reminded to raise his hand and wait to be called on. What is Eduardo lacking that teens have more than younger children?

Accepted Answer

Eduardo is lacking response inhibition, which is the ability to suppress inappropriate or unwanted behaviors or responses. This ability develops as children grow older and is more developed in teens than in younger children.

Question 10

Fourteen-year-old Martha is being interviewed by the admissions staff at a private high school.When asked what she would like to do for a career one day, Martha pauses and collects her thoughts before answering with the first thing that pops into her head. What does Martha have that younger children have not developed yet?

Accepted Answer

Response inhibition is the ability to think before acting, which develops as children grow older. Martha's pause and thought collection before answering indicates she has developed this ability, unlike younger children who may respond impulsively.

Question 11

What do adolescents with executive processes excel at?

Accepted Answer

Adolescents with strong executive processes typically excel in problem solving, academic learning, and metamemory, as these skills are all related to the ability to plan, organize, and manage cognitive tasks effectively.

Question 12

What happens when students typically enter high school after spending eight years in an elementary school?

Accepted Answer

Students often face challenges transitioning to high school, such as increased academic demands and a new social environment, which can lead to a decline in grades initially.

Question 13

How do children's goals change once they enter middle school?

Accepted Answer

As children enter middle school, they often shift from task goals, which focus on learning and mastering new skills, to ability goals, which emphasize demonstrating competence relative to others.

Question 14

Which goal is the middle school student focusing on if he wants to get a 100% on his math test so the teacher will think he is the smartest in the class?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which goal is the middle school student...

Question 15

Which approach to middle school education does the National Middle School Association recommend?

Accepted Answer

The National Middle School Association recommends a team approach where teachers collaborate to address the diverse needs of young adolescents, fostering a supportive and integrated learning environment.

Question 16

What is the single most powerful predictor of dropping out of high school that researchers have identified?

Accepted Answer

Failing ninth grade algebra is often seen as a critical indicator because it reflects both academic struggles and potential disengagement from school, which are strong predictors of dropping out.

Question 17

What is a drop out prevention strategy that has been effective for high school students?

Accepted Answer

Ninth-grade academies that provide academic support to at-risk students have been shown to be effective in preventing dropouts by addressing the specific needs of students transitioning into high school, which is a critical period for academic success.

Question 18

What are the two groups that secondary school students fall into?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What are the two groups that secondary...

Question 19

Which parenting style tends to encourage engaged high school students?

Accepted Answer

Authoritative parenting, which balances high expectations with support and open communication, tends to foster engagement and success in high school students.

Question 20

What is one of the reasons why so many high school students disengage?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is one of the reasons why...

Quiz 14: Cognitive Development in Adolescence