Question 1

Gwen has recently been preoccupied with trying to understand what kind of person she is. As an exercise, she writes out a list of 20 traits that she thinks best describe her. According to the text, Gwen is focusing on her:

Accepted Answer

Gwen's activity of listing traits that she believes best describe her is an exercise in understanding her self-conception. Self-conception refers to how individuals perceive their own attributes, characteristics, and overall identity.

Question 2

When the author of the textbook, Laurence Steinberg, says that "Some researchers have argued that the question of whether self-esteem is stable during adolescence is a poor one," what does he mean?

Accepted Answer

The author is saying that some researchers argue that just looking at group averages for self-esteem stability during adolescence is not enough, because there may be substantial differences between individuals that are hidden in the averages. Therefore, it is a poor question to just ask whether self-esteem is stable overall during adolescence.

Question 3

Adolescents improve their ability and tendency to consider the long-term consequences of their decisions, which is one aspect of:

Accepted Answer

Future orientation refers to an individual's ability and tendency to consider the long-term consequences of their decisions. Adolescents develop this skill as they mature and become more capable of imagining their possible selves in the future. Self-concept and identity formation are related to a person's understanding of themselves, but not specifically related to future orientation.

Question 4

All of the following are defining characteristics of agency, except:

Accepted Answer

Blaming other people for one's problems goes against the idea of agency, which involves taking responsibility for one's own actions and decisions. The other options (A, B, and D) are defining characteristics of agency.

Question 5

Amy, a 16-year-old girl, is shy around boys though she would really like to be more outgoing. This reflects:

Accepted Answer

The situation described reflects a discrepancy between Amy's ideal self (being outgoing) and her actual self (being shy around boys). This can lead to a negative self-concept and a drive to improve oneself to be more in line with the ideal self. The other options do not fully capture the situation. A false sense of self-concept would involve a complete detachment from reality in how one views oneself, whereas Amy's situation involves a desire to change a specific aspect of herself. The drive toward positive self-esteem is related to the situation, but it is not the only factor at play.

Question 6

Maria describes herself as an only child, as a person who likes art and music, who is shy, and who likes to read. Maria's description fits best with the idea of:

Accepted Answer

Maria's self-description reflects her self-conception, or the way she views herself in terms of characteristics, interests, and behaviors. This is different from self-esteem, which refers to how positively or negatively one evaluates oneself, self-attribution, which refers to the explanations one gives for one's own behavior, or self-control, which relates to one's ability to regulate one's own behavior and impulses.

Question 7

Generally speaking, the parenting style that is associated with the healthiest identity development is:

Accepted Answer

Research suggests that a parenting style that is warm and supportive, while also providing appropriate guidance and limits, is associated with the healthiest identity development in children. This style, known as authoritative parenting, allows children to develop their own sense of self while also providing a framework for social and behavioral expectations. The other answer choices, such as the absence of warmth or discouragement of individuality, have been shown to be less effective or even detrimental to children's development.

Question 8

Which of the following is a reason that "identity development" is an adolescent issue?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following is a reason...

Question 9

An important aspect of having a healthy self-concept and more socially appropriate behavior is to be able to balance one's ______ self with one's ______ self.

Accepted Answer

The answer of An important aspect of having a healthy...

Question 10

Adolescents are most likely to exhibit false-self behavior with their:

Accepted Answer

Adolescents are most likely to exhibit false-self behavior with their dates as they often feel a strong desire to impress or fit in with their romantic interests, leading them to present themselves in a manner that may not accurately reflect their true selves.

Question 11

Adolescents who have more complex self-conceptions are less likely:

Accepted Answer

Adolescents who have more complex self-conceptions are better able to handle stressors and challenges, which makes them less likely to experience depression. However, there is no evidence to suggest that having a more complex self-conception leads to greater achievement in school or having more friends. It may actually be the opposite, as adolescents who are highly committed to a particular identity may put more energy into activities related to that identity and therefore achieve more or have a more focused social circle. "Foreclosed" refers to individuals who have committed to an identity without exploring other options, and there is no evidence to suggest that having a complex self-conception is related to risk of foreclosure.

Question 12

When asked to describe himself, Aaron stated, "Most of my friends think I don't care about school, but I really study a lot at night because school is important to me." This is an example of how adolescent self-conceptions become more:

Accepted Answer

This statement shows that Aaron has a differentiated self-conception, meaning he has multiple aspects to his identity that may not be immediately apparent to others. He recognizes both the perception of his friends and his own internal motivation and behavior, indicating a more complex understanding of himself.

Question 13

Researchers are particularly interested in the identity changes that occur in adolescence for all of the following reasons, except:

Accepted Answer

The option "adolescents are now capable of thinking in concrete terms about who they are and where they are going" is not a reason why researchers are interested in identity changes in adolescence. The other options explain why researchers are interested in studying identity changes during this period.

Question 14

Which of the following adolescents is least likely to engage in false-self behavior?

Accepted Answer

Adolescents who have high support from their parents and peers are less likely to engage in false-self behavior, as they feel secure and accepted for who they truly are. Kassim (A) may engage in false-self behavior as a way to fit in or gain acceptance. Joy (C) may also engage in false-self behavior as a way to mask or cope with their depression. Eddie (D) may also engage in false-self behavior as a result of feeling hopeless or powerless.

Question 15

Which of the following statements about self-conception is most likely to be made by a child rather than by an adolescent?

Accepted Answer

The statement "I am a girl; I have two brothers; I like to read" is more focused on external characteristics and interests, which is common for younger children who are still developing a sense of self. The other statements involve more complex internal traits and potential contradictions, indicating a more nuanced understanding of self that is more likely to be expressed by adolescents.

Question 16

Identity formation is best seen as a:

Accepted Answer

Identity formation is a complex and multifaceted process that involves multiple interrelated developments, including cognitive, social, cultural, and personal factors. It is not a single issue or a discrete quantitative switch, nor does it necessarily entail becoming a new and different person. Instead, it involves the internalization of various aspects of the self, including values, beliefs, interests, skills, and relationships, and the integration of these elements into a coherent and stable sense of self.

Question 17

Which of the following is one of the characteristics that distinguish between the adolescent's and the child's self-concept?

Accepted Answer

All of the choices are characteristics that distinguish between the adolescent's and the child's self-concept. Adolescents tend to view the self as involving more dimensions than do children, they distinguish among actual, ideal, and feared selves, and the adolescent's self varies over time and across situations.

Question 18

Adolescents are most likely to behave __________ in romantic situations and with a classmate, and they are least likely to engage in ___________ with close friends.

Accepted Answer

Research suggests that adolescents are more likely to behave inauthentically or with a false-self in romantic situations and with peers who are not close friends, whereas they are more likely to engage in authentic behavior with those who are close friends. This may be because adolescents feel pressure to conform to social norms or impress potential romantic partners, leading them to behave in ways that are not truly reflective of their authentic selves.

Question 19

Researchers have identified all of the following factors as critical components of the development of identity during adolescence, except:

Accepted Answer

While self-regulation is an important aspect of adolescent development, it is not typically considered a critical component in the development of identity. The other three factors listed (self-esteem, sense of identity, and self-conception) are commonly recognized as key aspects of identity development.

Question 20

As adolescents develop, their self-conceptions become more:

Accepted Answer

As adolescents develop, their self-conceptions become more differentiated, meaning they become more complex and multifaceted as they start to recognize and reconcile different aspects of their identity. Adolescents are able to differentiate between their actual selves and their "possible selves" and become more aware of their strengths and weaknesses. This process can lead to greater self-awareness and a more realistic, nuanced view of themselves.

Quiz 8: Identity