Social and Moral Development (Ch. 4) Analysis Questions

Social and Moral Development (Ch. 4) Analysis Questions:

1. From a social development standpoint, how might we explain Laura's preoccupation with her appearance? In particular, consider this statement by Laura: "I don't want people to think I'm a geek!" Include information from Erikson's theory and social development in general in your response.
Social Development is an important aspect of teens lives because they are becoming who they want to be and making friendships that will last for a very long time, possibly forever. A huge aspect of social development is peer pressure. If Laura doesn't want to associate with the so called "geeks" of the school, looking good is a must have for her. Erikson's theory relates to this situation because in his Identity versus Role Confusion stage teenagers are trying to identify who they are. They want to establish the group of people they are going to be around and the kind of person they want to be identified as. If Laura was to be labeled as a geek and never had the opportunity to break that mold, she would most likely be unsatisfied with her identity.

2. In suggesting that Laura join the debating class, Ms. Watkins is hoping to pique an interest in classroom subject matter by capitalizing on Laura's desire to be the center of attention. What two other strategies might the school faculty use to motivate students who seem to be more interested in social matters than in academic pursuits?
Faculty members could also encourage Laura to join a sports team. If Laura is on a sports team she will have people looking at her while she performs on the field or court or whatever it may be. She will also have the social aspect of the school environment because she will be surrounded by team mates that will also become her friends. Also, being on a sports team requires students to get good grades in order to remain on the team and in good stance to play. Another option for Laura would be to participate in the school play. Laura will once again have all eyes on her when she performs for the school and for any other people who want to watch. She will also have the social network of the other performers in the school play to be social with.

3. From the perspective of Kohlberg's theory, in which stage of moral development is Laura? Justify your response. How might Mr. Marcalescu help Laura to advance her moral reasoning?
I believe that Laura is at the Conventional Morality stage because she is still abiding by the rules of the debate team, but she is only doing so because she feels obligated. She has not chosen to relate the topic to her, or to internalize what it is that she is doing. She just wants to be the center of attention and will do whatever it takes to get to that point. There is no relation to her of why she is doing what she is doing, she is basically just doing what she is told. I believe that Mr. Marcalescu could help Laura move up to the Postconventional Morality stage by pointing out to her that it isn't all about her. Maybe at some point he could prove to her that her way of thinking isn't necessarily always the best option. He could show her a different way that works and explain to her that she needs to be open minded about things.

4. In what ways might a debating class contribute to students' cognitive, linguistic, social, and moral development?
A debate team will relate to a students cognitive development because it will encourage students to study certain topics in order to provide evidence for their opinion or whatever it may be that they are taking a stance on. It promotes linguistic development because students are talking in front of their peers and other individuals that may be judging them. By getting this experience they are becoming more comfortable with public speaking as well as just talking and reasoning things out in general. The social aspect is also addressed because there are several people on debate teams that work together with each other to form supporting arguments. Individuals are also working out their social skills by resolving conflicts and providing valid argument points. Last of all, moral development is established because students are forming their own opinions are certain topics and learning how to take a stance and defend the choice that they make. They have to decide what things are important to them and of value and then find ways to back up why they believe what they believe. All around the debate team is a beneficial option for students.