Which Perry category includes the belief that authorities know the right answers?

Which Perry category includes the belief that authorities know the right answers?

• A. Relativism
• B. Dualism
• C. Commitment in Relativism
• D. Post-formal thought

Answer: (B)

In this stage of thinking, knowledge is seen as coming from authorities who know the right answers, and students are expected to learn and repeat those answers. This aligns with Perry’s Dualism, where there is a clear sense that there is one correct solution and one correct source of truth—the authorities. The other pathways describe recognizing multiple viewpoints (Relativism), committing to a stance within those viewpoints (Commitment in Relativism), or later integrating complexity and contradictions (Post-formal thought). So, the belief that authorities know the right answers best fits Dualism.

In this stage of thinking, knowledge is seen as coming from authorities who know the right answers, and students are expected to learn and repeat those answers. This aligns with Perry’s Dualism, where there is a clear sense that there is one correct solution and one correct source of truth—the authorities. The other pathways describe recognizing multiple viewpoints (Relativism), committing to a stance within those viewpoints (Commitment in Relativism), or later integrating complexity and contradictions (Post-formal thought). So, the belief that authorities know the right answers best fits Dualism.