Selman: Development of Social Cognition

Question 1

Dilemma’s: Holly

Answer 1

• perspective taking: take on someone else’s perspective and come to a reasoned conclusion
• children asked series of questions after reading each dilemma and ans were analysed
• As child develops in age their responses changed and developed
  e.g. “if Holly climbs the tree, should she be punished?” “Will her father understand if she climbs the tree?”
  ¬ children will give ans relevant to their age groups
  FINDINGS:
• Diff people react diff to the same situation
• develop ability to analyse perspectives of several people from the viewpoint of an objective bystander
• diff cultural/ social values would influence their perceptions

Question 2

Stages of perspective taking

Answer 2

1. undifferentiated (3-6yrs)
   ¬ governed by own perspective
   i.e. Holly’s dad wont be angry as he feels the same way
   ¬ people have diff info to them
2. social information (6-8yrs)
   ¬ aware others think differently to them
   i.e. Holly’s dad wont be angry if she shows him and he sees the kitten
3. Mutual perspective (10-12yrs)
   ¬ see viewpoint of third party
   ¬ consider two viewpoints simultaneously
   i.e. Holly’s dad wont be angry as understands both viewpoints
4. societal perspective (12-15+yrs)
   ¬ make decision based on social conventions and consequences
   i.e. He wont be angry as he understands that animals need to be treated humanely

Question 3

False Belief (deception)

Answer 3

• when more advanced at perspective they’re able to ‘deceive’
  **Cole: showing appreciation for gifts in front of those who gave it, but react differently in private
  ¬ occurs at age 3
  SUPPORT:
• 225 participants age 4 - 32 yrs asked dilemmas
• found sequential development of stages
• they closely link to Piaget stages of intellectual development
  ¬ children who were poor at perspective had very poor social skills

Question 4

Research ( )

Answer 4

Fitzgerald & White
- parents encourage child to take victims’ perspective when child has caused harm
¬ children better able to demonstrate understanding and growth
Therefore, role of social experience is important in the development of social cognition
¬ as well as being biologically (maturity) driven

Question 5

Evaluation

Answer 5

• correlational research > cannot establish causality
  ¬ is it advanced perspective which causes more develop social competence?
• real world applications (strength)
  ¬ primary schools > role play of perspective activities to develop social competence
  ¬ social skills training > therapy used with older children with disorders and social/emotional problems
  ¬ treatments of criminals > perspective to overcome lack of empathy, viewpoint of victims, ready for release
  **ignores importance of empathy/emotion, sole focus on understanding
  ** doesn’t differentiate between perspective in family interaction and peer interaction situations
  ** not take account of children’s complex social worlds in modern society e.g. family , nursery, cultural differences.