Question

In the Berkeley Longitudinal Study some years ago, early-maturing boys perceived themselves ________ than did their late-maturing counterparts. When the late-maturing boys were in their thirties, however, they had developed a ________ than the early-maturing boys had.

A) as an anomaly; stronger feeling of inadequacy
B) more positively; stronger sense of identity
C) as misfits; more negative self-image
D) more negatively; deeper sense of regret

Answer 1

The Berkeley Longitudinal Study found that early-maturing boys felt more positively in adolescence compared to late-maturing boys, who felt inferior; however, as adults, the late-maturing boys experienced less regret about their youth than the early-maturing boys.

Step-by-step explanation:

In the Berkeley Longitudinal Study, early-maturing boys perceived themselves more positively than did their late-maturing counterparts, often feeling more popular, confident, and independent. However, these advantages can come with drawbacks as they are also at greater risk for substance abuse and early sexual activity. Late-maturing boys, while facing initial challenges such as low self-esteem and being at a higher risk for depression, may develop into adults who have less regret about their adolescence.

As adults, the study suggests that late-maturing boys ended up developing a different perspective from their early-maturing peers. While the late bloomers initially felt self-conscious and inferior during adolescence, as they grew into their thirties, they seemed to have fewer feelings of regret when looking back at their youth. On the contrary, the early-maturing boys, despite their initial confidence, might reflect on their past behaviors and choices with a sense of regret, realizing the implications of those early experiences.