Jan 5 Imaginary Audience

As soon as I started reading Chapter 15 is was drawn to the concepts of adolescent egocentrism and the imaginary audience. Children in their adolescent years think completely about themselves, and what other think about them. The idea called adolescent egocentrism was first thought up by David Elkind. Elkind said that adolescents unlike younger children have well developed theory of mind, they are aware that others have their own thoughts, and their egocentrism does not exclude others. This egocentrism therefore creates what is called an imaginary audience. Adolescents believe that they are the center of attention, all eyes are on them, everyone is looking at them. They think that their peers are as fascinated or concerned with them as they are with themselves. This idea makes teens enter a party as if they are the most beautiful person alive. As they might enter a room full of confidence, they also try to find any imperfections, such as a zit or mark on their face. Young adolescents are extremely concerned with what their friends think of them. They don't want to be judged as being the odd ball out or the weirdo, they want to be the cool kid, a popular kid. I'm sure all of us can relate to this when we were younger. Remembering trying to fit in, or doing what our friends wanted to do. I remember when I was in grade school that all my friends got a bagel at lunch that day, because I didn't want to stick out I got a bagel too, even though I didn't really like them. It can be something simple like that or can be something more drastic like shoplifting or stealing.