Chapter 15: Cognitive Processes in Adolescents 15.1 Cognition 15.2 Reasoning About Moral Issues 15.3 The World of Work

15.1 Cognition Piaget’s Stage of Formal Operational Reasoning Information Processing During Adolescence

Piaget’s Stage of Formal Operational Reasoning Begins at about 11 and continues through adulthood Children now able to think hypothetically and abstractly Can use deductive reasoning Beliefs can interfere with reasoning 15.1 Cognition

Ratings of Validity of Studies

Information Processing During Adolescence Capacity of working memory and speed of processing reach adult levels Acquire adultlike levels of knowledge and understanding in many areas Adolescents are quite skilled at choosing strategies and monitoring effectiveness 15.1 Cognition

15.2 Reasoning About Moral Issues Kohlberg’s Theory Beyond Kohlberg’s Theory: Gilligan’s Ethic of Caring Promoting Moral Reasoning

Kohlberg’s Theory 3 levels of moral reasoning beginning with obedience to authority and ending with decisions based on moral principles Support for the theory: people progress through the stages in sequence and moral reasoning is linked to moral behavior Cross-cultural evidence is inconsistent 15.2 Reasoning About Moral Issues

Beyond Kohlberg’s Theory: Gilligan’s Ethic of Caring Gilligan: caring is important than justice and becomes more sophisticated Justice and care both serve as a basis for moral reasoning depending on the nature of the moral problem 15.2 Reasoning About Moral Issues

Promoting Moral Reasoning Discussions about moral issues and exposure to higher levels of reasoning Just Communities foster discussion and provide exposure to higher levels of reasoning 15.2 Reasoning About Moral Issues

15.3 The World of Work Career Development Part-Time Employment

Career Development Super’s theory: identity is primary force in career choice Teens go through stages of crystallization, specification, and implementation when choosing a career Holland’s theory: 6 personality types are basis for finding fulfilling jobs or careers 15.3 The World of Work

Part-Time Employment Majority of high school seniors work part-time Fairly recent development (since 1970s and unique to U.S.) Negative effects: school performance suffers, mental health and behavioral problems, and misleading affluence 15.3 The World of Work