In High School A, the rate of student dropouts has been rising sharply. High School B, located in a neighboring town, has a decreasing dropout rate. Define any two of the following perspectives and describe how they could be applied to explain the dropout rates for High School A and High School B.
Biological or neuroscientific
Behaviorist
Social-cultural
Cognitive
Biological or Neuroscientific perspective: This perspective focuses on understanding behavior and mental processes through the lens of biology and neuroscience. In the case of dropout rates in High School A and High School B, a biological perspective could be applied to explain the differences by considering factors such as genetic predispositions, brain functioning, and hormonal imbalances. This perspective would look into individual differences in students' biological makeup and how it influences their motivation, engagement, and decision-making processes, leading to higher or lower dropout rates.
Behaviorist perspective: The behaviorist perspective, rooted in the principles of conditioning and reinforcement, would focus on explaining dropout rates in terms of rewards and punishments associated with staying in school or leaving. This perspective would examine how external factors such as school environment, teaching methods, and peer influences shape student behavior and contribute to dropout rates. High School A may have a higher dropout rate due to a lack of positive reinforcement for students' academic achievements or a punitive disciplinary approach, while High School B may have implemented effective rewards and support systems to promote student persistence.
Social-cultural perspective: This perspective emphasizes the influence of society, culture, and social interactions on individuals. To explain the dropout rates of the two high schools from a social-cultural perspective, factors like socio-economic status, community support, cultural norms, and educational values would be considered. For instance, High School A may experience higher dropout rates due to a lower socio-economic status of students' families, lack of community support, or cultural beliefs that do not prioritize education. In contrast, High School B's decreasing dropout rate could be attributed to a supportive community environment, higher socio-economic status, or cultural values that place a strong emphasis on education.
Cognitive perspective: The cognitive perspective explores how individuals perceive, think, and make decisions. Applying this perspective to the dropout rates in High School A and High School B would involve examining cognitive processes, such as students' beliefs about their abilities, attitudes towards education, and problem-solving skills. High School A may have a higher dropout rate if students have negative self-perceptions, low self-efficacy beliefs in their academic abilities, or a lack of problem-solving skills to overcome challenges. High School B, with a decreasing dropout rate, may have implemented interventions to foster positive student beliefs, such as providing academic support, personalized learning experiences, or opportunities to develop resilience and problem-solving skills.