Question

One primise of Erikson's theory was that in stage 5 cognitive development is extremely important. If that is the case, why can't a 16 year old considering dropping out of school make that decision from a cognitive perspective?

Answer 1

A 16-year-old may not have fully developed cognitive abilities to understand the long-term implications of dropping out of school, as they are still in the process of developing abstract formal operational thought and are not yet at the postformal stage that allows for more nuanced decision-making.

Step-by-step explanation:

According to psychologist Erik Erikson's theory of psychosocial development, a 16-year-old is in the stage of identity versus role confusion, where they are trying to understand who they are and their place in society. This stage is characterized by exploration of personal identity, which implies searching for values and beliefs that will guide their future. At this age, cognitive capabilities are still maturing, and adolescents are transitioning from concrete operations to more abstract formal operational thought, as outlined by Jean Piaget. This transition includes an ability to think hypothetically and reason deductively, which is necessary to plan and consider long-term consequences, yet this is still a developing skill at 16.

Research has further identified the possible existence of a postformal stage of cognitive development that occurs beyond Piaget's formal operational thought. This stage, which some may begin to enter as they reach early adulthood, involves the integration of logic with emotion and the development of principles that depend on context. Therefore, a 16-year-old may not have fully developed the cognitive capabilities to appreciate the complexity and long-term implications of a decision to drop out of school. This developing cognitive ability, along with the emotional and social turmoil often experienced during adolescence, can lead to decision-making that is not fully informed by the understanding of future consequences.

In summary, while adolescents are capable of logical thought, they are still developing the ability to handle emotionally charged issues in a mature manner that considers long-term implications, making critical decisions such as dropping out of school challenging to navigate cognitively.

Answer 2

Check Explanation.

Step-by-step explanation:

Erik Erikson was a psychologist and a psychoanalyst. Erik Erikson was born on the 15th day of the month of June, in the year 1902 and he died on the 12th day of May, in the year 1994 in Massachusetts, United States of America.

Erik Erikson proposed the theory of psychosocial development and that psychosocial development has stages and these stages are; Trust vs. Mistrust, Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt, Initiative vs. Guilt, Industry vs. Inferiority, Identity vs. Role Confusion, Intimacy vs. Isolation, Generativity vs. Stagnation and Ego Integrity vs. Despair.

The fifth (5th) stage of the cognitive development is known as Identity vs. Role Confusion. This stage is a very important stage because whatever the the child does at this stage will affect him or her when he or she becomes an adult.

The reason a 16 year old considering dropping out of school can not make that decision from a cognitive perspective is because the child has NOT been CONFUSING his or her ROLES in the society . The child desire to be a great person in the future and when he or she thinks logically the child will never want to drop out.