Gina has a bruise on her leg. She turned down an invitation to a swim party, explaining, "I can't possibly wear a swim suit with this ugly bruise. Everyone will notice how ugly I look!" Gina's response reveals that her thinking is characterized by
A) paranoia.
B) argumentativeness.
C) the imaginary audience.
D) the personal fable.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Gina's response is an example of the imaginary audience, which is a characteristic of adolescent egocentrism in which individuals believe that their behavior and appearance are constantly being observed and evaluated by others. Gina believes that everyone will notice her bruise and judge her for it, leading her to decline the invitation to the swim party.

Gina Has a Bruise on Her Leg