Question

Alex is 22 months of age. He knows that he should not play with his food at the dinner table, but he sometimes plays anyway. His parents can usually redirect his behavior with simple reminders about what he should be doing. What is happening cognitively to help him grow in self-control?

a. With repeated experience, Alex is constructing representations of standards for everyday behavior that serve as guidelines for behavior.
b. Alex knows that he will be embarrassed if he gets caught playing with his food.
c. Alex can decenter sufficiently to understand that he needs to focus on his food in order to stay healthy.
d. Alex is now less cognitively egocentric and can see his mother's perspective.

Answer 1

Alex is constructing standards for behavior through repeated experiences and parental guidance, which contribute to his cognitive development and self-control. This is part of resolving autonomy versus shame and doubt, central to a toddler's growth.

Step-by-step explanation:

The cognitive behavior depicted by Alex, a 22-month-old child, when reminded not to play with his food, aligns with the concept that with repeated experience, children are constructing representations of standards for everyday behavior that serve as guidelines. Essentially, Alex is forming mental frameworks for what is acceptable and not acceptable based on the feedback and reminders he receives from his environment, particularly his parents. The reminders from his parents help reinforce these standards and guide his behavior towards self-regulation and increased self-control.

At this stage of development, children like Alex are beginning to resolve the issue of autonomy versus shame and doubt, focusing on establishing independence while also learning the limits of acceptable behavior. This is a fundamental part of cognitive development as children learn to navigate their environment and social expectations, which are crucial for their overall growth and future interactions.