When Dr. Bentley is asked to explain troubled adolescents, she says, "The only way to explain the problems of adolescents is to study them in relation to their parents and the culture that surrounds them." Dr. Bentley is most likely a proponent of ____ theory.
A)psychodynamic
B)cognitive developmental
C)ecological
D)social cognitive

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Dr. Bentley's statement suggests that she believes that the problems of adolescents are influenced not just by their individual psychology (psychodynamic theory) or cognitive development (cognitive developmental theory), but also by the environment in which they live (ecological theory). The mention of "the culture that surrounds them" specifically aligns with the ecological theory's emphasis on the importance of considering various systems (e.g. family, school, neighborhood, societal) that surround and interact with an individual. Social cognitive theory is more focused on how people learn through observation and modeling, and does not have as much emphasis on broader environmental factors.

When Dr Bentley Is Asked to Explain Troubled Adolescents, She Says