The Concept of Egocentrism in Piaget's Theory of Childhood Development
How does Jenna's action of bringing a pacifier and a rattle to her sick mom relate to Piaget's theory of childhood development?
In Piaget's theory of childhood development, what does Jenna's action demonstrate?
Answer:
In Piaget’s theory of childhood development, he demonstrates egocentrism. Jenna brings a pacifier and rattle to her sick mom because she can’t differentiate her needs and other’s needs.
Explanation:
Egocentrism is a phase in childhood when a child cannot differentiate between self and others. A child has not got the ability to know the differences between subjective schemas and objective reality. Egocentrism means that the child has trouble understanding other people’s perspectives, other than their own.
Egocentrism and narcissism are different. They may seem similar, but actually, they are not the same. Children with egocentrism think that they are the center of attention, and everything gravitates around them. Meanwhile, narcissism means that someone actually highly admires themselves. Narcissism means that there is an ego problem to be acknowledged by others, and also to get approval from others. This is not the case with egocentrism.
Egocentrism is usually found in childhood, not adulthood. Even though it does not rule out the probability of having forms of egocentrism in adulthood. Some people who experience egocentrism in adulthood will experience lifelong learning and development on themselves.
Egocentrism in adulthood is rarer than in childhood because adults are faster to correct themselves from an egocentric perspective. They have awareness and more critical thinking that will help them to be less egocentric. Therefore, there are rarer cases of egocentrism in adulthood and more cases of egocentrism in childhood. Despite that, egocentrism can actually be found throughout the life span: in infancy, childhood, adolescence, and also adulthood.
Learn More:
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KEYWORD: Piaget, childhood development, egocentrism, Piaget’s theory, narcissism
Subject: Social Studies
Class: 10-12
Subchapter: Egocentrism