(chap 5) CHARACTERISTICS OF ADOLESCENT THINKING (4)

CHARACTERISTICS OF ADOLESCENT THINKING (4)

DAVID ELKIND (1967)

• Emphasised IMMATURE CHARACTERISTICS OF ADOLESCENT THINKING

• concept of adolescence egocentrism

ADOLESCENT EGOCENTRISM

• Recently acquired abilities such as metamemory or metacognition lead to the development of a certain egocentrism.

• Egocentrism as something necessary in this stage of development.

Why is it important to work on egocentrism?

• leads to greater self-criticism, which can result in issues with self-esteem and self-concept

From this egocentrism, the following derive

• key concepts by Elkind

• Personal fable

• Myth of invincibility

• Imaginary audience

personal fable

• Refers to the feeling of being indestructible and unique.

• This belief leads them to think that their opinions and feelings are completely different from those of others.

MYTH OF INVINCIBILITY

• The believe about that this will not happen to me.

• I control it, that’s not going to happen to me.

IMAGINARY AUDIENCE

Belief that everyone is watching them.

APPARENT HYPOCRISY (Elkind)

• When a teenager holds high ideals or beliefs, but their actions don’t match those beliefs — and they don’t realize the contradiction.

• how adolescents may say one thing but do another = because their thinking is still developing.

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• Need to express and defend their ideals.

• Need to act.

• Emotional regulation still developing.

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• Often, adolescents do not recognize the difference between expressing an ideal and striving for it.

• Thus, they may use violence in a march for peace or protest against pollution while throwing trash in the street.

• They still need to understand that values are not just something to think about; they must be lived out in order to create real change.

INDECISION

• Closely linked to the creation of one's own identity.

• Awareness of multiple available options.

• Process of specialization in decision-making.

TENDENCY TO ARGUE

Adolescents use discussion as a way to practice new skills to explore a topic and present a case from different viewpoints.

How should parents react to adolescent tendency to argue:

• Parents should encourage their children to engage in debates about their principles.

• While avoiding making the discussion personal, they can help their children in their development without creating family arguments.

DISCOVERY OF FLAWS IN THE AUTHORITY FIGURE

• Adolescents are critical and idealistic.

• Belief that their parents know nothing.

• Need for role models.

• Often, they seek them in famous figures or in individuals present in their educational system.