Investigation of Adolescent Egocentrism and Irrational Beliefs of Young People of Different Ages

The main aim of this research is to determine whether the irrational beliefs of individuals at different developmental stages and the gender of adolescents vary according to age and gender. 747 students attending various classes of middle school, high school and university participated in the research. Participants were divided into three groups according to their developmental periods: puberty (12-15), adolescence (16-18) and emerging adulthood (19-24). Egocentrism Scales (New Personal Fable / New Imaginary Audience) and Irrational Beliefs Scales-Adults Form were used as data collection tools in the study. As a result of the analyzes made, it was determined that the personal fable was significantly different according to age and gender, and that the personal fable was highest in adolescence. It was determined that this feature was reduced in the adulthood. It was found that the scores of irrational beliefs differed significantly by gender but differed significantly by age. It was determined that the irrational belief scores of the participants in the adulthood were significantly higher than the participants in the adolescence period. It was determined that the irrational beliefs of the adolescents and the thoughts of the imaginary audience and personal fables showed a positive relationship. In addition to these, as the idea of the imaginary audience increased, the level of adolescent minds being engaged in the idea of personal myth increased and the positive relationship was found between these two types of adolescent self-centering.