Mr. Goldberg, a high school teacher, approaches you (a brilliant adolescent psychologist) regarding two of his students. He is concerned about their behavior and hopes you can explain what is going on. One student, Sharon, occasionally engages in unprotected sex. The other student, Michael, constantly wears pants instead of shorts to hide what he believes are skinny legs. Using the theory of adolescent egocentrism, how would you characterize Sharon's behavior? How would you characterize Michael's behavior? Be sure to justify your answer.
What will be an ideal response?
These two phenomena result from the theory of adolescent egocentrism, which results in two distinct problems in thinking. Sharon's behavior is a classic example of what is called the personal fable. She believes that what she does and what happens to her is unique. She believes that nothing will happen to her if she occasionally engages in unprotected sex. Michael's behavior is related to what is called the imaginary audience. He believes that everyone's thoughts are about him and that they are constantly looking at him (as if he were on stage). In reality, few people will notice or care about what Michael's legs look like.
Key Points:
a) Adolescent egocentrism results in two distinct problems of thinking.
b) Sharon's behavior is most likely an example of a personal fable.
c) Michael's behavior is an example of the imaginary audience phenomenon.
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a. classical conditioning. b. modeling. c. shaping. d. negative reinforcement.
The phrase ________________ was used by the Knapp Commission to describe NYC police officers who were taking bribes, gratuities, and unsolicited protection money and who were fairly passive in their deviant practices.
Fill in the blank(s) with the appropriate word(s).
A woman presents to her primary care provider with a primary complaint of hallucinations. She has no mental health history and denied using any substances except for her morning cup of coffee. What else should her doctor assess that may be causing her symptoms?
A. Test her attention using the Stroop test. B. Test her consciousness using the Turing test. C. Ask about any recent trips to high altitude locations. D. Ask about prolonged hypnosis experiences.
Sleeping would be considered an example of which of the following levels of awareness?
A. higher-level consciousness B. no awareness C. subconscious awareness D. lower-level consciousness