Selman’s Level Of Perspective Taking

Question 1

Social cognition

Answer 1

This describes the mental processes we use to make use of when engaged in social interaction. For example, we make decisions on how to behave based on our understanding of a social situation. Both the understanding land the decision making are cognitive processes.

Question 2

Perspective taking

Answer 2

Our ability to appreciate a social situation from the point of view of other people. This cognitive ability underlies much of our social interaction.

Question 3

Stage 0 - socially egocentric

Answer 3

The child cannot reliably distinguish between their own emotions and those of others. They can generally identify emotional states in others but do not understand what social behaviour might have caused them.

Question 4

Stage 1- Social information role taking

Answer 4

The child can tell the difference between their own point of view and that of another, but they can usually focus on only one of these perspectives.

Question 5

Stage 2 - self Reflective role taking

Answer 5

The child can put themselves in the position of another person and fully appreciate their perspective. They can, however, only take on board one point of view at a time.

Question 6

Stage 3 - mutual role taking

Answer 6

Children are able to look at a situation from their own and another point of view at the same time

Question 7

Stage 4 - social and conventional system role taking

Answer 7

Young people become able to see that sometimes, understanding others’ viewpoints is not enough to allow people to reach agreement. This is why social conventions are needed to keep order.