What is the imaginary audience phenomenon described by David Elkind?
AAn infant belief that hidden objects no longer exist after they go out of sight
BAn adolescent belief that no one can understand their unique feelings
CAn adolescent belief that others are as preoccupied with them as they themselves are
DA child belief that inanimate objects feel pain and have living qualities
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: C. An adolescent belief that others are as preoccupied with them as they themselves are
1. Adolescents develop a special kind of egocentrism according to David Elkind.
2. The chapter names two components: imaginary audience and personal fable.
3. Imaginary audience is the belief that others are as preoccupied with the adolescent as they are.
4. It makes adolescents extremely self-conscious about visible features like a pimple.
5. Distractor 2 describes personal fable; distractor 3 describes lack of object permanence.
6. Hence imaginary audience is the belief that others are constantly watching and noticing.
_Source: NCERT Class 11 Psychology Ch 3 "Human Development", p. 54, Cognitive Developmental Changes in Adolescence_
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