What is the personal fable component of adolescent egocentrism, as described by Elkind?
AThe child belief that inanimate objects share the qualities of living beings
BThe adolescent belief that all others are constantly observing their behaviour
CThe infant belief in the permanence of objects when hidden from view
DThe adolescent sense of personal uniqueness so strong that no one can understand them
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: D. The adolescent sense of personal uniqueness so strong that no one can understand them
1. Elkind splits adolescent egocentrism into imaginary audience and personal fable.
2. Personal fable involves the adolescent's sense of personal uniqueness.
3. Adolescents come to feel that no one understands them or their feelings.
4. The chapter gives the example of feeling betrayed by a friend whose pain no one else can sense.
5. Distractor 2 is imaginary audience; distractors 3 and 4 belong to infancy and childhood.
6. Hence personal fable is the sense that one is uniquely misunderstood.
_Source: NCERT Class 11 Psychology Ch 3 "Human Development", p. 54, Cognitive Developmental Changes in Adolescence_
Related questions
What does Kohlberg say about how moral reasoning progresses through childhood and adolesceBy what age does the Babinski reflex typically disappear in the newborn, per Table 3.1?Which of the following correctly describes the Moro reflex in newborns?What does Erikson mean by identity confusion in adolescence, and what may it lead to?What is the imaginary audience phenomenon described by David Elkind?Which statement about teratogens during prenatal development is correct?How is genotype distinguished from phenotype?What does the macrosystem refer to in Bronfenbrenner's model of development?