Question

Which of the following statements about self-conception is most likely to be made by a child rather than by an adolescent?

a. I am good at playing soccer.
b. I am a kind and caring person.
c. I am a student at Lincoln Middle School.
d. I am taller than most of my friends.

Answer 1

A child is most likely to describe themselves with concrete statements like 'I am good at playing soccer,' reflecting the developmental stage of self-conception in middle childhood, which focuses on competencies and group memberships.

Step-by-step explanation:

The statement about self-conception most likely to be made by a child, rather than by an adolescent, from the provided options would be: “I am good at playing soccer.” This reflects a more concrete manner of self-description based on specific activities or abilities, which is typical of younger children. As they develop, children in middle childhood often identify themselves in terms of group memberships (e.g., being part of a sports team) and personal competencies. Comparisons made during Erickson's stage of industry versus inferiority contribute to their sense of self. In contrast, adolescents tend to focus on more abstract traits such as personality descriptions and group identities, in line with Erikson's stage of identity versus role confusion, as they work towards developing a more nuanced self-concept.