Which of the following experiences represent (a) normative history-graded influence(s)?

A man in middle adulthood who manages to learn to use the computer to adjust to the information and communication technology of the 21st century.
A man who is a victim of crime/violence in South Africa.
A man who is a victim of the AIDS epidemic in South Africa.
All of the given options.

1 answer

Normative history-graded influences refer to significant events or experiences that shape the attitudes, values, and behaviors of a particular cohort of people because they occur at roughly the same time in history.

Among the options provided:

  1. A man in middle adulthood who learns to use the computer: This experience reflects an individual adaptation to technological advancements rather than a historical event that influences a cohort.

  2. A man who is a victim of crime/violence in South Africa: While crime and violence may affect societal norms and individual lives in South Africa, being a victim is a personal experience and does not represent a normative historical event that influences a broader cohort.

  3. A man who is a victim of the AIDS epidemic in South Africa: Although the AIDS epidemic has had profound impacts on public health and societal attitudes, being a victim is still a personal experience.

Given this context, none of the options are strong examples of normative history-graded influences. Normative history-graded influences typically involve widespread events (like wars, the Great Depression, or significant political changes) that affect large segments of the population at the same time.

Therefore, the best conclusion is that none of the experiences represent normative history-graded influences, thus "All of the given options" would not be correct.