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stage. That is "The fourth and final stage of cognitive development, characterized by
systematic logical thinking and by understanding abstractions." (Berger, 2016, p. 330).
Under abstract thinking falls egocentrism.
Changes in cognitive development are not the only reason why teenagers may be
egocentric. Teenagers deal with the pressures of the media. There are TV shows, movies,
even commercials that encourage others to dress a certain way, or act a certain way.
These pressures can lead to feelings of inadequacy and even a poor body image of
themselves. These negative feelings about themselves can lead to more egocentric
thoughts and feelings of judgment from others.
While reading the textbook I notice that I was this way when I was a teenager. I
cared too much about what others thought about me. Either I thought that they really
liked me and accepted me, or I thought that they hated me. I didn't have much to back up
my thoughts other than looks they would give me, or things I would hear.
I just recently had a conversation with one of my good friends. He is attending
college at the University of Utah. He said that every day in class he looks around the
room and observes what others are wearing. He makes it a personal goal to be the best
dressed in the class. Every day he will compare himself to others and see if he has
reached his goal for the day. He asked me if that was something I do as well. I told him
that I haven't worried about that since I was in High School. I do not care enough to
compare myself to other people, and I'm fine not being the best dressed. I have noticed a
shift in my thinking the older I get. I do not seem to care as much about what others may
think of me.
WC: 518
Reference:
Berger, K. S. (2016). Invitation to the life span (3rd ed.). New York, NY: Worth
Publishers.