week 9

David Elkind Egocentrism is defined as a characteristic of adolescent thinking that leads young people to focus on themselves and what others think about them. It is common in earl adolescent from all ages, culture and sex. It does continue throughout adolescence. It may increase when going to college or with a teen may have delinquent problems or disorders. Teens look at themselves as unique, special and socially important. They worry more about what their peers may think of them. Many teens believe that they are invincible or nothing bad will happen to them. This thinking in the text is called invincibility fable. Some researchers have found that not all teenagers feel invincible; some instead have exaggerated perceptions of risks. I found it interesting that many develop mentalist found may lead to cognitive maturity.  If adults understood adolescent egocentrism then many unpleasant events could be avoided. For example, in the text it used an example of a teen age girl who committed suicide from being constantly bullied by her peers because she did not fit the norm at her new school. If adults knew the importance of egocentrism then maybe this tragic event could have been avoided.

There are two ways of thinking; intuitive and analytic. Intuitive first begins with a belief, assumption, or general rule. People make a decision based of what may feel right.  The other way of thinking is analytic thought which is thinking logically about the decision being made. Some people try to use both but if not then they use one or the other. I found myself using both thoughts more than anything. When I was younger I never thought anything out logically. Now I am older and I have to think things logically but I also make sure it feels right doing. There are numerous amounts of teens that do not go to college after high school. Current high school diploma does not cover all their needs today. Today to have all needs met one must go to college.