Known for ideas related to adult cognitive development and dualistic thinking, especially college students.

Known for ideas related to adult cognitive development and dualistic thinking, especially college students.

• A. Jean Piaget
• B. Lawrence Kohlberg
• C. Robert Perry
• D. Erik Erikson

Answer: (C)

This item tests Perry’s theory of adult cognitive development, which focuses on how college students often begin with dualistic thinking and move toward relativism and personal commitment. Dualistic thinking sees knowledge as right or wrong and tends to rely on authorities for truth. Perry showed that as students gain experience and reflection, they increasingly recognize that information is context-dependent and must be interpreted, leading to more nuanced judgments and personal commitments. This stands apart from Piaget, who outlined cognitive stages more for children; Kohlberg, who studied moral development; and Erikson, who mapped psychosocial stages across the lifespan. So Perry’s model is the best fit for describing adult cognitive development and dualistic thinking in college students.

This item tests Perry’s theory of adult cognitive development, which focuses on how college students often begin with dualistic thinking and move toward relativism and personal commitment. Dualistic thinking sees knowledge as right or wrong and tends to rely on authorities for truth. Perry showed that as students gain experience and reflection, they increasingly recognize that information is context-dependent and must be interpreted, leading to more nuanced judgments and personal commitments.

This stands apart from Piaget, who outlined cognitive stages more for children; Kohlberg, who studied moral development; and Erikson, who mapped psychosocial stages across the lifespan. So Perry’s model is the best fit for describing adult cognitive development and dualistic thinking in college students.