Question 1

Feliciano decides not to rob a backpack from an open locker at school because he is afraid of getting caught. Feliciano is operating at Kohlberg's _____ level of moral reasoning.

Accepted Answer

Feliciano's decision is based on avoiding punishment, which aligns with Kohlberg's preconventional level of moral reasoning. This level is characterized by an individual's focus on personal consequences rather than societal rules or ethical principles.

Question 2

Young people who get arrested for participating in illegal demonstrations that protest what they feel are unfair laws may be operating according to Kohlberg's _____ level of moral reasoning.

Accepted Answer

Kohlberg's postconventional level of moral reasoning involves individuals making moral decisions based on their own individual principles and values, rather than blindly following societal norms or rules. Young people who participate in illegal demonstrations may be doing so because they feel they are standing up for what they believe to be a higher moral principle (such as justice or freedom), rather than simply following the laws set by society. Therefore, their actions align more closely with Kohlberg's postconventional level of moral reasoning.

Question 3

Rashid is 14 years old. Based on the research, he is MOST at risk of getting into trouble when he is:

Accepted Answer

Based on research, adolescents are more likely to take risks and engage in delinquent behavior when they are in groups of peers. This is due to a desire to fit in and be accepted by their peers, as well as a tendency to be more easily influenced by group dynamics. Therefore, Rashid is most at risk of getting into trouble when he is with a group of friends.

Question 4

The text's criticisms of Kohlberg's moral reasoning scale all relate to which measurement concept?

Accepted Answer

The criticisms of Kohlberg's moral reasoning scale suggest that it lacks validity, as it may not actually measure what it purports to measure (moral development). The text does not specifically address reliability, accuracy, or morality as measurement concepts.

Question 5

Teenagers tend to be more sensitive to _____ than other age groups.

Accepted Answer

Studies have shown that the adolescent brain is more sensitive to social rejection and experiences of social exclusion. This may be because social acceptance and belonging are particularly important during this stage of development. While other age groups may also experience sensitivity to rejection, it appears to be more pronounced in teenagers.

Question 6

You are taking this test, and it's so, so easy to look over to the next person's answers, but you think, "No." What would be your reasoning if you are at Kohlberg's postconventional stage of moral development?

Accepted Answer

At Kohlberg's postconventional stage, individuals base their moral decisions on their own internal moral principles and values, rather than simply following external rules or avoiding punishment. Therefore, the reasoning for not looking at the next person's answers would be based on personal beliefs and values rather than fear of getting caught or following rules. Option C represents a personal belief that cheating is morally wrong, which is consistent with this stage of moral development.

Question 7

When Sheila walks to the lunchroom, she thinks that everyone is evaluating every move she makes. According to David Elkind, Shelia is showing signs of:

Accepted Answer

Sheila is exhibiting signs of the imaginary audience, which is the belief that one is constantly being watched and judged by others. This is a common cognitive distortion in adolescence, according to David Elkind. Egotistic thinking, the personal fable, and narcissism are related but not exactly the same as the imaginary audience.

Question 8

Kohlberg's scale may NOT be valid because it:

Accepted Answer

Kohlberg's scale is focused on cognitive moral reasoning and doesn't take into account the emotional and situational aspects of real-life moral decision-making. It also doesn't measure actual moral behavior, only the reasoning behind it. Therefore, it may not be a valid measure of moral development.

Question 9

You are taking this test, and it's so, so easy to look at the next person's answers, but you decide, "No." What would be your reasoning if you are at Kohlberg's conventional stage of moral development?

Accepted Answer

At Kohlberg's conventional stage of moral development, an individual's morality is based on following societal norms and rules to gain approval and avoid disapproval. Therefore, the reasoning for not looking at the next person's answers would be "going against the rules is wrong."

Question 10

As you are taking this test, it's so, so easy to look at the next person's answers, but you decide, "No." Using Kohlberg's categories, pick out the correct level of moral reasoning: (1) "I won't because I might get caught"; (2) "I won't because I believe that cheating is morally wrong"; (3) "I won't because I took a pledge to uphold the school's honor code."

Accepted Answer

Option (1) reflects the preconventional level because it focuses on fear of punishment. Option (2) reflects postconventional because it is based on an internalized sense of morality. Option (3) reflects conventional, but it is not the best answer because taking a pledge is still an external source of authority. Therefore, the correct sequence of levels is (1) preconventional, (2) postconventional, (3) conventional, making option B the correct answer.

Question 11

According to David Elkind, young teens become angry, resentful, and rebellious because they:

Accepted Answer

According to David Elkind's theory of adolescent egocentrism, young teens enter the formal operations stage and develop the ability to think abstractly, understand contradictions, and critique authority figures. This can lead to feelings of anger, resentment, and rebellion towards adults who may act hypocritically or fail to understand the teen's perspective. Option A and D may be true for some teens, but they do not adequately explain the developmental reasons for the behavior. Option C is a stereotype that is not supported by research.

Question 12

A mother feels ill at a family picnic, so her husband drives her to the hospital at 90 miles an hour and with their three teenage children in the car. Billy says "Dad, you can't go this fast. We might be stopped for speeding." Josh says, "Slow down, Dad. It's crucially important, no matter what, to obey the law." Sarah, furious, yells, "You guys are crazy! Saving mom's life is more important than ANY law." Using Kohlberg's categories, pick each sibling's level of moral reasoning.

Accepted Answer

Billy's concern about being stopped for speeding shows that he is at the conventional level, which is focused on societal rules and expectations. 
Josh's focus on obeying the law shows that he is also at the conventional level. 
Sarah's belief that saving a life is more important than following the law demonstrates postconventional reasoning, which values individual rights and ethical principles above societal rules.

Question 13

Ayana is arguing that Kohlberg's moral reasoning scale is not valid (that is, it does not accurately reflect real-world morality). Based specifically on the text critique, which is NOT a critique Ayana can make?

Accepted Answer

The critique that everyone routinely cheats and lies is not relevant to Kohlberg's moral reasoning scale, which is focused on how individuals reason about moral dilemmas and issues. It is an unrelated critique about human behavior in general.

Question 14

Ning has a new pimple on her chin this morning. She is mortified and tells her mother that she must transfer to another school because everyone will make fun of her. David Elkind would label Ning's reaction as showing:

Accepted Answer

David Elkind would label Ning's reaction as showing adolescent egocentrism, which is the tendency of adolescents to believe that their experiences and feelings are unique and that others are constantly focused on them. This can lead to self-consciousness and anxiety about one's appearance and the perception of others. Ning's belief that everyone will make fun of her is an example of adolescent egocentrism as she assumes that everyone is focused on her and her appearance.

Question 15

Link each situation to a component of adolescent egocentrism: (1) A boy thinks that everyone is constantly watching him and commenting on his behavior; (2) a girl takes incredible risks because she thinks that she cannot ever die.

Accepted Answer

The first situation describes the "imaginary audience" phenomenon, where an adolescent believes they are constantly being observed and judged by others. The second situation illustrates the "personal fable," a belief in one's own uniqueness and invincibility.

Question 16

Which teenage stereotype is FALSE?

Accepted Answer

This stereotype is false. While some teenagers may engage in drinking and drug abuse, the majority do not.

Question 17

Jayden is 14 years old. Compared to a 24-year-old, Jayden should have which quality?

Accepted Answer

Teenagers, like Jayden, often experience heightened concerns about peer perception and social acceptance, which can lead to worries about what others think.

Question 18

According to David Elkind, teenagers question society's rules and become involved in idealistic causes because they can:

Accepted Answer

According to David Elkind, teenagers develop the ability to reason abstractly during adolescence. This abstract reasoning allows them to see the flaws and inconsistencies in established rules and societal norms, which can inspire them to become involved in idealistic causes and question the adult world.

Question 19

A teenager thinks, "I'm never going to have an accident if I drive drunk- that happens to other kids, not me." This type of thinking reflects:

Accepted Answer

This type of thinking reflects the personal fable, which is a belief that one is unique and invulnerable to harm, and that bad things only happen to other people. This type of thinking is common in adolescence and can lead to risk-taking behaviors such as driving under the influence.

Question 20

"Everyone is watching me and judging me." In Elkind's framework, this is a classic example of _____, and this young person is roughly 12 or 13.

Accepted Answer

This statement reflects the idea of "imaginary audience" which is a characteristic of adolescent egocentrism according to Elkind's framework. The young person perceives that everyone is watching and judging them, which is an indication of self-consciousness and self-absorption that is characteristic of this developmental stage.

Quiz 9: Cognitive and Socioemotional Development