Question

Which of the following is NOT a stage of role taking in middle childhood social and personality development?

• A. Egocentric
• B. Subjective
• C. Objective
• D. Mutual

Hint:

To remember Selman's role-taking stages in order, use the following sequence:
Egocentric $\rightarrow$ Subjective (Informational) $\rightarrow$ Self-Reflective (Reciprocal) $\rightarrow$ Mutual (Third-Party) $\rightarrow$ Societal.
Notice that "Objective" is not part of this sequence.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Robert Selman's theory of role-taking describes how children develop social perspective-taking skills.
These stages explain how a child's ability to understand others' thoughts, feelings, and intentions grows as they mature.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Let us review Robert Selman's five stages of perspective-taking:
Stage 0: Egocentric/Undifferentiated Perspective-Taking (approx. ages 3--6):
Children realize that others have different thoughts and feelings but often confuse them with their own.
Thus, Option (A) represents a valid stage.
Stage 1: Social-Informational/Subjective Perspective-Taking (approx. ages 6--8):
Children understand that others can have different perspectives because they have access to different information.
Thus, Option (B) represents a valid stage.
Stage 2: Self-Reflective/Reciprocal Perspective-Taking (approx. ages 8--10):
Children can step into another person's shoes and view their own thoughts and actions from that person's perspective.
"Objective" is not used as a stage name in Selman's model.
Thus, Option (C) is not a valid stage.
Stage 3: Third-Party/Mutual Perspective-Taking (approx. ages 10--12):
Children can step outside a two-person interaction and view it from the perspective of an objective, neutral third party.
Thus, Option (D) represents a valid stage.
Stage 4: Societal/Symbolic Perspective-Taking (approx. ages 12--15+):
Adolescents understand that perspective-taking is influenced by broader societal and cultural values.

Step 3: Final Answer:
"Objective" is not a stage in Selman's role-taking theory.
Thus, Option (C) is correct.