Text 1: Sociologist Dr. Lisa Long studies childhood. "Childhood is a social construction," Long writes. "Different societies define childhood differently. Age categories and expectations are culturally produced, not natural facts."
Text 2: Developmental psychologist Dr. Paul Black emphasizes biology. "Cognitive and emotional development follow biological timetables," Black argues. "Brain maturation constrains what children can do at various ages. Cultural expectations operate within biological limits."
How do Long's and Black's accounts of childhood development relate?
They are entirely incompatible and one must be completely wrong
They emphasize different but potentially complementary factors
Both deny childhood has any characteristics
Both focus exclusively on cultural factors
Correct Answer: B
Choice B is the correct answer. Long emphasizes cultural construction; Black emphasizes biological constraints. These could coexist—biology sets parameters within which culture varies. Different but potentially complementary lenses.
- Evidence: Both identify real factors affecting childhood.
- Reasoning: Construction occurs within biological parameters.
- Conclusion: The accounts can be integrated, not just opposed.
Choice A is incorrect because complementarity is possible. Choice C is incorrect because both describe childhood features. Choice D is incorrect because Black emphasizes biology.