Discussion Questions

  1. Exemplify behaviors of children at each of the 6 levels of understanding children must master to develop a theory of mind.
  2. Give an example (not in the textbook) of hostile attributional bias.
  3. As you learned in chapter 12, a secure attachment with a parent will result in the development of positive relationships with peers. What advice would you give to a new parent to help develop secure attachment?
  4. Create a dialogue exemplifying play between a parent and three-year-old child.
  5. Do you remember playing as a child?  Which types of play did you enjoy?
  6. Chapter 12 discusses 5 sociometric status groups. Think about your childhood. In which group did you fit?  Discuss the pros and cons of being in this group.  How did fitting into this group influence your social development? If you did not fit in the controversial, rejected or neglected group, do you remember a child who did? What were the child’s struggles?
  7. When you were younger, did you play with children of the same sex? Why or why not?
  8. Have you ever experienced peer pressure? What was the situation? Did you give in to it? Why or why not?
  9. Do you agree that peers have more influence than parents when it comes to becoming adults?
  10. What purpose do romantic relationships in adolescence provide?
  11. Have you ever been a victim of bullying? What happened? How did you handle the situation? What would you do differently if you had to experience the situation again?