Discussion Questions

  1. Think about your own development of self-concept. Use Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Theory to discuss the influences of each level on your development of self-concept.
     
  2. Do you have experience around young children?  What behaviors have you witnessed that exemplify content from chapter 11?
     
  3. Think about your experience as an adolescent.  Did you go through many identities? What was your experience? Relate it to chapter 11’s content.
     
  4. Did you experience a rite of passage? Discuss.
     
  5. Provide an example description of a child in each of Marcia’s identity statuses.
     
  6. In your own words, discuss the difference between self-esteem and self-concept.  Provide an example of each.
     
  7. Think about your own self-esteem.  What factors in your life have influenced your self-esteem?  Relate your answer to Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Theory.
     
  8. Which theory of gender development do you believe best explains gender development? Why do you agree with this theory?
     
  9. A teenager comes to you and confides that she thinks she is a lesbian.  What advice would you give to her? Would you suggest that she confides in others? What challenges will she face?
     
  10. In your opinion, which theory best explains homosexuality? Why?
     
  11. Do you remember the moment you realized your ethnic identity? What was that like? What happened? Describe how your ethnic identity has developed.
     
  12. Chapter 11 discusses moral development. Theories of Kohlberg and Gilligan are introduced.  Read the moral dilemmas presented in your textbook.
  1. What would you do if you were Heinz? Would you steal the drug? Why or why not?
  2. How would you handle the situation with the porcupine and moles?  Discuss your reasoning. 
  1. What do you believe explains the difference between moral thought and moral action?