Selman

Question 1

what is perspective taking?

Answer 1

the ability to assume another persons perspective and understand their thoughts and feelings

Question 2

what is the role taking theory?

Answer 2

it explains the development of perspective taking , developed through research involving interpersonal dilemmas

Question 3

what are selmans 5 levels of perspective taking?

Answer 3

stage 0 - egocentric viewpoint
stage 1 - social informational role-taking
stage 2 - self-reflective role-taking
stage 3 - mutual role-taking
stage 4 - social and conventional system role-taking

Question 4

what occurs in stage 0, and what age group is it?

Answer 4

3-6 years old
-understand others have different thoughts and feelings but will confuse them with their own
-children can label overt feelings but cant see the cause and effect relationship between reasoning and social action

Question 5

what occurs in stage 1, and what age group is it?

Answer 5

6-8 years old
-aware others have access to different information and so have different perspectives
-tend to focus on one perspective rather than combining viewpoints

Question 6

what occurs at stage 2, and what age group is it?

Answer 6

8-10 years old
-can step into other peoples shoes and understands this awareness influences their own / others views of each other
-can judge intentions, purposes and actions
-can form a coordinated chain of perspectives but can’t simultaneously see others

Question 7

what occurs at stage 3, and what age group is it?

Answer 7

10-12 years old
-kids realise both they and others can view each other mutually and simultaneously
-can step out of a 2 person situation and imagine how they would be viewed by another

Question 8

what occurs at stage 4, and what age group is it?

Answer 8

12-15 years old
-realise 3rd party perspective taking can be influenced by larger societal values, which are understood by all members of a cultural group, regardless of their position

Question 9

A03 strengths of Selman’s levels of perspective taking

Answer 9

supporting evidence:
-Gurucharri + Selman 1982
practical applications:
-PE - understanding others viewpoints in competitive sports
-conflict resolution - Boca et al 2018
paradigm method for perspective taking research
some parallels between Piaget and Selman’s theories

Question 10

A03 weaknesses of Selman’s levels of perspective taking

Answer 10

criticised for focusing too much on the effects of cognitive development, down-playing the roles of non-cognitive factors (reductionist)
research may be culturally biased as it was conducted in western cultures (Quintana et l 1999)