Ch.

9 Questions

Michael Antry

1) Explain the difference between egocentrism in a child and

selfishness in an adult
Egocentrism (literally self-centeredness) is an
example of centration. Centration is the tendency to focus
on one aspect of a situation to the exclusion of all others
(Berger et. al 250). Basically, this means that a child
experiencing egocentrism has a tendency to only focus on
themselves, and will view the world only from their personal
perspective. They are not necessarily performing behaviors
that are selfish. The book gives an example of a three-yearold giving a gift of a model car to his mother. He believes
that since he loves model cars, his mother, too, will love
model cars. He does not have the capacity to understand
that his mother may not love model cars. As a side not, I
think this is actually very cute. If he were being selfish, he
would simply desire the model car for himself, even though it
was a gift for his mother.
2) Explain Vygotskys ideas of children as apprentices in the
zone of proximal development
Vygotsky believed in the idea that every developing
individual has a zone of proximal development, or a set of
cognitive and physical skills that cannot yet be performed
without assistance. He believed that children can be
considered as apprentices in thinking, or, people whose
cognition is stimulated and directed by older and more
skilled members of society. Basically, be believed that
children learn when their mentors present challenges, offer
assistance without taking over, provide instruction, and
encourage motivation. He theorized that children learn to
think with guided participation in social experience and
exploration of their worlds. For example, a child may learn
the proper social behavior and social expectations at a

Ch. 9 Questions

Michael Antry

dinner party when their mentor guides and encourages them

to do so through provided instruction.
3) In looking at cognitive development, explain what is meant
by theory-theory and why it is significant
Theory-theory is the idea that children attempt to
explain everything they experience through sight and sound
by constructing theories. The drive to develop explanations
is especially apparent in early childhood. Theory-theory is
the driving force behind the constant asking of why
questions that young children are infamous for. This can be
slightly misleading, though. It is easy to think that the child
is asking why does this thing happen? In reality, the child
is more likely saying I want to know more about this thing,
and how does this thing relate to me? Its interesting to me
that the child is asking how does this thing relate to me?
This is a clear example of egocentrism, and a lack of theory
of mind. The child doesnt yet have the ability to
comprehend that other people do not have all of the same
thoughts that they do.
4) Explain the role of fast mapping in childrens acquisition of
language
Fast mapping is used to expand vocabulary exponentially.
Children begin to categorize words with other words, and
therefore are able to remember these new words because
they are not being asked to memorize and exact definition.
For example, its very easy for a child to remember bowl if
the child already knows what a plate is. They are able to
categorize the bowl in with the plate as a dish. This is also a
tool used by people who are learning new languages and
second languages. Not surprisingly, the language center of

Ch. 9 Questions

Michael Antry

our brain is located very, very closely to the part of our brain
responsible for categorical recognition.