PiagetPiagetFormal OperationsFormal OperationsAbstract thinking using formal logicAbstract thinking using formal logic

Hypotheticodeductive reasoning;Hypotheticodeductive reasoning;

Start with a general theory about Start with a general theory about what produces a particular what produces a particular

outcome outcome then deduce explanations for then deduce explanations for specific situations in which that specific situations in which that particular outcome is seenparticular outcome is seen

Can begin with abstract possibilities & Can begin with abstract possibilities & move to the concretemove to the concrete

Propositional thought:Propositional thought:

Reasoning that uses abstract Reasoning that uses abstract logic logic in the absence of concrete in the absence of concrete examplesexamples

It’s a gradual unfoldingIt’s a gradual unfolding

Culture influences the operationsCulture influences the operations

Information ProcessingInformation ProcessingInformation Processing ApproachInformation Processing ApproachSeeks to identify the way that we take in, use, & store informationSeeks to identify the way that we take in, use, & store information

MetacognitionMetacognitionKnowledge that people have about their own thinking processes & their ability to monitor Knowledge that people have about their own thinking processes & their ability to monitor themthem

Adolescent EgocentricismAdolescent EgocentricismTeen’s view that everyone is as interested in them as they areTeen’s view that everyone is as interested in them as they are

Imaginary AudienceImaginary AudienceA teen sees behavior as constantly being watched by others, esp. peersA teen sees behavior as constantly being watched by others, esp. peers

Personal FablePersonal FableThe idea that one’s feelings and experiences are unique & no one else has themThe idea that one’s feelings and experiences are unique & no one else has them

Adolescent Adolescent ThinkingThinking

Mental Mental SophisticationSophisticationCan think hypotheticallyCan think hypothetically

The store of knowledge increases as The store of knowledge increases as the memory enlargesthe memory enlarges

Improvement of intelligenceImprovement of intelligence

EgocentricismEgocentricismConstructs elaborate scenariosConstructs elaborate scenarios

Tend to become self-absorbedTend to become self-absorbed

Egocentricism, imaginary Egocentricism, imaginary audience, personal fable audience, personal fable constructionconstruction

Kohlberg’s Moral Kohlberg’s Moral DevelopmentDevelopment

6 Stages6 StagesPreconventional MoralityPreconventional Morality

Stage 1 – Desire to avoid Stage 1 – Desire to avoid punishmentpunishment

Stage 2 – Desire for rewardStage 2 – Desire for reward

Conventional MoralityConventional Morality

Stage 3 – Have respect for othersStage 3 – Have respect for others

Stage 4 – Maintaining social orderStage 4 – Maintaining social order

Postconventional MoralityPostconventional Morality

Stage 5 – Respect for individual Stage 5 – Respect for individual rights & lawsrights & laws

Stage 6 – Universal ethical Stage 6 – Universal ethical moralitymorality

Further research shows moral Further research shows moral reasoning depends on the reasoning depends on the situationsituation

Gilligan’s Moral Gilligan’s Moral DevelopmentDevelopment

3 Stages3 StagesStage 1Stage 1

The focus is on what is The focus is on what is practical & best for practical & best for

one’s one’s selfself

Stage 2Stage 2

The focus is on self-The focus is on self-sacrificesacrifice

Stage 3Stage 3

The focus is on the idea The focus is on the idea that hurting one’s self that hurting one’s self or others is immoralor others is immoral

School School PerformancePerformance

78% of U.S. High School Students GraduateSES ScoresMiddle- & high-SES students score higher grades on standardized tests of achievement & complete more years of education

Poverty contributes to lower scores, less years of education, etc.

Ethnic/Racial Differences in Ethnic/Racial Differences in PerformancePerformance

African American & African American & Hispanic PerformanceHispanic PerformanceAsian Americans performance higherAsian Americans performance higher

Difference in part to SES & their view Difference in part to SES & their view of educationof education

Education is less important than getting Education is less important than getting a joba job

Hard work in school has no Hard work in school has no payoffpayoff

Beliefs Regarding Beliefs Regarding Academic SuccessAcademic SuccessAfrican Americans more apt to view African Americans more apt to view success as the result of external causes, success as the result of external causes, luck, or social biasesluck, or social biases

They have no control over They have no control over their their successsuccess

Adolescent beliefs about the Adolescent beliefs about the consequences of not doing will may also consequences of not doing will may also contribute to the differences in school contribute to the differences in school performanceperformance

Part-time JobPart-time JobAdvantagesAdvantages38% of 15 yr. olds have a 38% of 15 yr. olds have a regular jobregular job

Money for recreation & Money for recreation & clothesclothes

Workplace skills learnedWorkplace skills learned

Understand the nature of Understand the nature of work & specific employment work & specific employment settingssettings

DisadvantagesDisadvantagesLow on transferable skillsLow on transferable skills

Can affect school Can affect school performanceperformance

Prevents the participation in Prevents the participation in extracurricular activitiesextracurricular activities

Dropping OutDropping OutStatisticsStatistics½ million drop out each year½ million drop out each year

Earn 42% less than high school Earn 42% less than high school gradsgrads

Unemployment rate for drop outs is Unemployment rate for drop outs is 50%50%

Males drop out more than femalesMales drop out more than females

Hispanic & African Americans are Hispanic & African Americans are more likely to drop outmore likely to drop out

Poverty plays a major role in who Poverty plays a major role in who completes high schoolcompletes high school

CollegeCollegeGaining a DegreeGaining a Degree40% starting college get a degree40% starting college get a degree50% of those not completing eventually get 50% of those not completing eventually get a degreea degree

Gender & CollegeGender & CollegeWomen tend toward education & social Women tend toward education & social sciencessciencesMen tend toward engineering, physical Men tend toward engineering, physical sciences, & mathematicssciences, & mathematicsProfessors (male & female) treat males & Professors (male & female) treat males & females differentlyfemales differently

Call on & make more eye Call on & make more eye contact contact with males than femaleswith males than females

Males tend to receive more Males tend to receive more positive positive reinforcementreinforcement

Gender/Racial Barriers to Gender/Racial Barriers to AchievementAchievement

Stereotyping in Stereotyping in AcademicsAcademicsWomen seem to accept social Women seem to accept social stereotypes about themselvesstereotypes about themselves

That’s the reason they take less That’s the reason they take less math & science classesmath & science classes

They tend to be more concerned They tend to be more concerned about failureabout failure

Women are more vulnerable to Women are more vulnerable to stereotype expectations about stereotype expectations about successsuccess

Hispanic & African Americans may Hispanic & African Americans may be vulnerable as wellbe vulnerable as well

Choosing a Choosing a CareerCareer3 Stages of 3 Stages of

Career ChoosingCareer ChoosingFantasy periodFantasy period

Period of life when careers Period of life when careers choices are made solely on the choices are made solely on the basis of what sounds appealingbasis of what sounds appealingTentative periodTentative period

Beginning to think Beginning to think practically practically about jobs & their about jobs & their requirements that may fit requirements that may fit abilitiesabilitiesRealistic periodRealistic period

Narrowing down choices to a Narrowing down choices to a few alternatives & eventually few alternatives & eventually committing to onecommitting to one

Personality Types & Personality Types & CareersCareers

RealisticRealisticDown-to-earth, practical problem Down-to-earth, practical problem solvers, but lack social skillssolvers, but lack social skillsMake good farmers, laborers, & Make good farmers, laborers, & truck driverstruck drivers

IntellectualIntellectualOriented toward the theoretical & Oriented toward the theoretical & abstract, not particularly good with abstract, not particularly good with peoplepeopleMath & science careersMath & science careers

SocialSocialGood verbal skills & interpersonal Good verbal skills & interpersonal relationsrelationsSalespersons, teachers, & counselorsSalespersons, teachers, & counselors

ConventionalConventionalPrefer highly structured tasksPrefer highly structured tasksClerks, secretaries, & bank tellersClerks, secretaries, & bank tellers

EnterprisingEnterprisingRisk takers & take-charge typesRisk takers & take-charge typesManagers & politiciansManagers & politicians

ArtisticArtisticUse art to express themselves, prefer Use art to express themselves, prefer art to interaction with peopleart to interaction with peopleAnything to do with artAnything to do with art

Women’s Women’s CareersCareersCommunal ProfessionsCommunal Professions

Occupations associated with Occupations associated with relationshipsrelationshipsTraditionally, considered the best Traditionally, considered the best profession for womenprofession for women

Agentic ProfessionsAgentic ProfessionsProfessions associated with Professions associated with getting things donegetting things doneTraditionally, considered the best Traditionally, considered the best profession for menprofession for men

Earning PowerEarning Power¾ of a man’s earnings¾ of a man’s earningsGlass ceilingGlass ceilingInvisible barrier in an organization Invisible barrier in an organization that prevents one from being that prevents one from being promoted beyond a certain level promoted beyond a certain level due to discriminationdue to discrimination