1. Early Adolescence (12 to 18 years)
Photo: Radius Images/Jupiter Images
Figure 9.6 Romance begins to stir in the halls of the high school.

2. Learning Objectives
Describe the patterns of physical maturation during puberty for female and male adolescents, and analyze the impact of early and late maturing on self-concept and social relationships.

3. Learning Objectives
Summarize the development of romantic and sexual relationships, and evaluate the factors that influence the transition to coitus, the formation of a sexual orientation, and pregnancy and parenthood in early adolescence.

4. Learning Objectives
Identify the basic features of formal operational thought, and explain the factors that promote the development of advanced reasoning at this period of life.
Examine patterns of emotional development in early adolescence, and describe the nature of emotional expression in three problem areas: eating disorders, delinquency, and depression.

5. Learning Objectives
Analyze the nature of peer relations in early adolescence, especially the formation of cliques and crowds, and contrast the typical relationships with parents and peers during this stage.

6. Learning Objectives
Explain the psychosocial crisis of group identity versus alienation, the central process through which the crisis is resolved, peer pressure, the prime adaptive ego quality of fidelity to others, and the core pathology of isolation.

7. Learning Objectives
Apply your understanding of developmental issues of early adolescence to an analysis of factors that account for patterns of adolescent alcohol and drug use.

8. Case Study – Balancing Autonomy and Closeness in Early Adolescence
Reflections
What are some typical tensions for adolescents in the United States today?
How might Evelyn’s ethnic and social class identities influence her pathway through adolescence?
Do you think Evelyn’s goals will change in the next five years? Why or why not?
APA Goal 3: Critical Thinking Skills in Psychology
This slide offers students the opportunity to use critical thinking effectively (suggested learning outcome 3.1) by evaluating the quality of information and behavioral claims, developing sound arguments, and articulating problems clearly (3.3 & 3.4).
APA Goal 7: Communication Skills
This slide provides students the opportunity to communicate effectively in a variety of formats such as writing, oral communication, interpersonal communication, and collaboration (suggested learning outcomes 7.1, 7.2, 7.4, and 7.5).

9. Developmental Tasks – Physical Maturation
Early adolescence - onset of puberty until roughly age 18
Rapid physical changes
Cognitive and emotional maturation
Energized sexual interests
Sensitivity to peer relations
Later adolescence – age 18 until 24
Autonomy from family
Personal identity develops
APA Goal 1: Knowledge Base of Psychology
This slide demonstrates theory and research representing biological bases of behavior and mental processes (suggested learning outcome 1.2).

10. Developmental Tasks – Physical Maturation
Puberty
Neurological and endocrinological changes influence brain development
Changes in sexual maturation, hormone production, and physical growth
Variation in onset
Adrenal glands mature at 8 or 9
Growth in height – up until late 20s
Rites of passage mark transitions
APA Goal 1: Knowledge Base of Psychology
This slide demonstrates theory and research representing biological bases of behavior and mental processes (suggested learning outcome 1.2). This slide also demonstrates the variability in behavior within and across species (suggested learning outcome 1.2).

11. Primary and Secondary Sex Characteristics for Boys and Girls
Table 9.1 The Development of Primary and Secondary Sex Characteristics for Boys and Girls

12. Physical Maturation: Physical Changes in Girls
Early puberty – speculated causes
Obesity
Hormones in meat
Increased use of environmental insecticides
Absence of fathers in household
Exposure to sexual stimulation in media
Earliest signs of puberty – 8 or 9
Breast buds and pubic hair
Onset of menarche - average age is 12
APA Goal 1: Knowledge Base of Psychology
APA Goal 8: Sociocultural and International Awareness
This slide demonstrates theory and research representing biological bases of behavior and mental processes (suggested learning outcome 1.2). This slide also explains how sociocultural and international contexts influence development (suggested learning outcome 8.2).

13. Physical Maturation: Physical Changes in Girls
Concerns about obesity
Body dissatisfaction
Related to social pressures to be thin and erroneous body image
Contributes to eating disorders
Reactions to breast development and menarche
Breast development is usually welcome
Onset of menarche – positive and negative feelings
APA Goal 1: Knowledge Base of Psychology
APA Goal 8: Sociocultural and International Awareness
This slide demonstrates theory and research representing biological bases of behavior and mental processes (suggested learning outcome 1.2). This slide also explains how sociocultural and international contexts influence development (suggested learning outcome 8.2).

14. Physical Maturation: Physical Changes in Girls
Obesity is related to activity level
For girls, one of the compounding factors in obesity is that they tend to reduce their activity level with age (Finne, Bucksch, & Lampert, 2011)
Increasing physical activity might address issues of obesity, but often girls fear displaying themselves in a way that highlights their obesity
How can we bridge these seeming contradictions?
APA Goal 3: Critical Thinking Skills in Psychology
This slide offers students the opportunity to use critical thinking effectively (suggested learning outcome 3.1) by evaluating the quality of information and behavioral claims, developing sound arguments, and articulating problems clearly (3.3 & 3.4).
APA Goal 7: Communication Skills
This slide provides students the opportunity to communicate effectively in a variety of formats such as writing, oral communication, interpersonal communication, and collaboration (suggested learning outcomes 7.1, 7.2, 7.4, and 7.5).

15. Physical Maturation: Physical Changes in Boys
Increased height, muscle mass, and physical skills are a welcome transition
Ambivalence toward rapid growth and awkwardness
Body image dissatisfaction
Spermarche – median age is 14
First spontaneous ejaculation can be source of anxiety
Secondary sex characteristics – facial/body hair
APA Goal 1: Knowledge Base of Psychology
This slide demonstrates theory and research representing biological bases of behavior and mental processes (suggested learning outcome 1.2).

16. Physical Maturation: Other Factors
How does cultural context affect reactions to puberty?
Secular growth trend
Influenced by changing environment
Earlier age of menarche and spermarche
The age at onset of puberty and the rate of change in physical maturation vary
Early and late maturing have psychological and social consequences for both boys and girls
APA Goal 1: Knowledge Base of Psychology
APA Goal 8: Sociocultural and International Awareness
This slide demonstrates theory and research representing biological bases of behavior and mental processes (suggested learning outcome 1.2).
The overarching theme of the interaction of heredity and environment are also discussed (suggested learning outcome 1.2). This slide also explains how sociocultural and international contexts influence development (suggested learning outcome 8.2).

17. Romantic and Sexual Relationships
Gradual transition into sexualized relationships
Dating – initial context for much sexual activity
Friendships with opposite sex – paradigm for future role
Sexual experience in non-committed relationships – “hooking up”
First intercourse
Recent trend toward delay
Boys sexually active at younger age
APA Goal 1: Knowledge Base of Psychology
This slide demonstrates concepts that describe antecedents and consequences of behavior and mental processes involved with sexual relationships (suggested learning outcome 1.3).

18. Romantic and Sexual Relationships
Dating scripts are highly dependent on peer and community norms
Religious beliefs affect early sexual behavior
First intercourse may take place in several different contexts
Sexual orientation
Decision to claim a sexual minority orientation is influenced by self-labeling and disclosure
APA Goal 1: Knowledge Base of Psychology
This slide demonstrates concepts that describe antecedents and consequences of behavior and mental processes involved with sexual relationships (suggested learning outcome 1.3).
Figure 9.9 A group of several hundred people demonstrate in support of a new high school for lesbian and gay students in New York City. The Harvey Milk High School opened for the first day of school with 100 students. What might be some developmental outcomes of attending a LGBTQ high school?

19. A Model of the Transition to First Coitus in Early Adolescence
Figure 9.8 A Model of the Transition to First Coitus in Early Adolescence

20. Problems and Conflicts Associated with Sexuality
Dating violence
Inconsistent contraception
Sexually transmitted infections
About 25% of sexually active teens contract a sexually transmitted disease each year
Teens are especially at risk for chlamydia, genital herpes, and gonorrhea
APA Goal 1: Knowledge Base of Psychology
This slide demonstrates concepts that describe antecedents and consequences of behavior and mental processes (suggested learning outcome 1.3).
APA Goal 4: Application of Psychology
This slide demonstrates how psychological concepts, theories, and research findings can apply to everyday life and be used to explain and guide social issues (APA suggested learning outcomes 4.3 and 4.4).

21. Problems and Conflicts Associated with Sexuality
Adolescent pregnancy
Predictors
Low parental education
Low grades in school
Single parent household
Low resource households
Consequences
Poverty
Lack of prenatal care can lead to birth complications
APA Goal 1: Knowledge Base of Psychology
This slide demonstrates concepts that describe antecedents and consequences of behavior and mental processes (suggested learning outcome 1.3).
APA Goal 4: Application of Psychology
This slide demonstrates how psychological concepts, theories, and research findings can apply to everyday life and be used to explain and guide social issues (APA suggested learning outcomes 4.3 and 4.4).

22. Problems and Conflicts Associated with Sexuality
Although the focus of studies on adolescent pregnancy has been on girls, there is growing interest in early fatherhood
What are the various ways in which teenage boys are affected by becoming young fathers?
APA Goal 3: Critical Thinking Skills in Psychology
This slide offers students the opportunity to use critical thinking effectively (suggested learning outcome 3.1) by evaluating the quality of information and behavioral claims, developing sound arguments, and articulating problems clearly (3.3 & 3.4).
APA Goal 7: Communication Skills
This slide provides students the opportunity to communicate effectively in a variety of formats such as writing, oral communication, interpersonal communication, and collaboration (suggested learning outcomes 7.1, 7.2, 7.4, and 7.5).

23. Formal Operations: Brain Development in Adolescence
Major transformations in thought, reasoning, and problem-solving are accompanied by brain changes
Periods of intense production of neurons
Periods of sculpting and pruning
Cerebral cortex reaches peak of gray matter
Piaget theorized a shift from concrete to formal operational thought
APA Goal 1: Knowledge Base of Psychology
This slide presents developmental changes in behavior/mental processes across the life span (suggested learning outcome 1.2).

24. Six Characteristics of Formal Operational Thought
The ability to:
Mentally manipulate more than two categories of variables simultaneously
Think about the changes that come with time
Hypothesize logical sequences of events.
Foresee consequences of actions
Detect logical consistency or inconsistency in a set of statements
Think in relativistic ways about self, others, and the world
Table 9.2 New Conceptual Skills that Emerge During the Stage of Formal Operational Thought

25. Factors that Promote Formal Operational Thought
Involvement in a variety of relationships that place both compatible and conflicting demands on them
Participation in a more heterogeneous peer group
Diverse and complex high school curriculum with creative applications
APA Goal 1: Knowledge base of Psychology
This slide uses presents theory representing learning and cognition (suggested learning outcome 1.2).

26. Criticism of the Concept of Formal Operations
Does formal reasoning follows a qualitative, stage-like consolidation?
Is formal reasoning broad enough to encompass the many dimensions of cognitive maturation?
Does formal operational thought represent the apex or end point of adult thought and reasoning?
APA Goal 1: Knowledge base of Psychology
This slide uses presents theory representing learning and cognition (suggested learning outcome 1.2).

27. Emotional Development
Involves:
Increased emotional complexity
The interdependence of cognition and emotion
Leads to the ability to:
Emphasize with others
Understand one’s own emotions
Monitor and manage emotions
Internalize and externalize emotion

28. Imbalance Model of Neurobiological Development
Figure 9.14 Imbalance Model of Neurobiological Development

29. Eating Disorders
Eating disorders are examples of internalizing problems
Anorexia nervosa
Bulimia
Certain genetic factors may be involved
Public health experts are working to create a more positive acceptance of people with various body types and shapes
APA Goal 1: Knowledge Base of Psychology
This slide demonstrates concepts that describe antecedents and consequences of behavior and mental processes involved with emotional development (suggested learning outcome 1.3).
APA Goal 4: Application of Psychology
This slide applies psychological concepts as they relate to everyday life (suggested learning outcome 4.4) and identifies appropriate applications of psychology in solving problems in the pursuit and effect of healthy lifestyles (suggested learning outcome 4.2).

30. Depression Depressed mood: feelings of sadness with loss of hope
Depressive syndrome: a constellation of behaviors and emotions, e.g., sadness, anxious, fearful, worried, guilty, and worthless
Major depressive disorder: two weeks of depressed mood, plus weight change, insomnia, fatigue, and recurring thoughts of suicide
APA Goal 1: Knowledge Base of Psychology
This slide demonstrates concepts and language related to one of the major theoretical perspectives in psychology and applies to the suggested learning outcome 1.4.

31. Factors Associated with Depression
Genetic factors
Parental Loss/Rejection
Social alienation
Excessive demands
Not enough sleep
Romantic concerns
Decisions about future
Loneliness
Academic challenge
APA Goal 1: Knowledge Base of Psychology
This slide demonstrates concepts that describe antecedents and consequences of behavior from one of the major theoretical perspectives in psychology (suggested learning outcomes 1.3 and 1.4).

32. Gender Differences in Depression
Most studies find no differences in depression between prepubescent boys and girls
From about age 11 to 15, gender differences are evident and continue to be evident into adulthood where depression is more common in females than males
APA Goal 1: Knowledge Base of Psychology
This slide presents research representing individual differences in the development of depression (suggested learning outcome 1.2).

33. Delinquency Acts for which an adult would be punished
Also acts specific to adolescents – truancy
An example of externalizing problems
Indicates difficulty in controlling impulses
Biological, psychological, and societal risk factors
Weapon carrying is a public health safety concern
APA Goal 4: Application of Psychology
This slide demonstrates how psychological concepts, theories, and research findings can apply to everyday life and be used to explain and guide social issues (APA suggested learning outcomes 4.3 and 4.4).

34. Membership in the Peer Group
Peer group membership becomes more salient in early adolescence
Dyadic friendships become increasingly important
Interactions across classroom boundaries are more common

35. Cliques and Crowds Cliques: small friendship groups of 5 to 10
Crowd: large group that is usually recognized by a few predominant characteristics
What are some examples of crowds?
How do clique or crowd affiliation affect behavior?
APA Goal 4: Application of Psychology
This slide demonstrates how psychological concepts, theories, and research findings can apply to everyday life and be used to explain and guide social issues (APA suggested learning outcomes 4.3 and 4.4).

36. Group Boundaries and Norms
Membership in cliques is relatively stable, but always vulnerable to change
Reputational identity can be difficult to lose in a stable school population
Membership in an adolescent peer group is a forerunner of membership in adult social groups
APA Goal 4: Application of Psychology
This slide applies psychological concepts as they relate to everyday life (suggested learning outcome 4.4).

37. Parents and Peers Relationships grow to include extended family
Adolescents indicate overt signs of independence from their families
Conflict with parents increases during adolescence
Quality of home environment and relationships affect membership in peer groups
APA Goal 1: Knowledge Base of Psychology
This slide behavior at the level of the family system (suggested learning outcome 1.3).
APA Goal 4: Application of Psychology
This slide also applies psychological concepts as they relate to everyday life (suggested learning outcome 4.4).

38. The Psychosocial Crisis: Group Identity Versus Alienation
Early adolescents search for group membership
Cognitive processes that support group identity formation
Group representations
Group operations
Reflective thinking about groups
APA Goal 1: Knowledge Base of Psychology
This slide demonstrates one of the major theoretical perspectives in psychology and applies to the suggested learning outcome 1.4.

39. Group Identity Four experiences that build group identity
Categorizing people and recognizing distinguishing features of group members
Experiencing a sense of history as a member of a group
Emotional investment in the group
Social evaluation of one’s group and its relation to other groups
APA Goal 1: Knowledge Base of Psychology
This slide demonstrates one of the major theoretical perspectives in psychology and applies to the suggested learning outcome 1.4.

40. Alienation Social estrangement
Common identity
Common bond
Alienation may help young people to re-integrate into a more suitable group
APA Goal 1: Knowledge Base of Psychology
This slide demonstrates one of the major theoretical perspectives in psychology and applies to the suggested learning outcome 1.4.

41. The Central Process: Peer Pressure
A demand for conformity to group norms and a demonstration of commitment and loyalty
Often used with a negative connotation
Can highlight the role of the peer group in the radius of significant others
Affiliating with a peer group
Conflicts between belonging and personal autonomy
APA Goal 4: Application of Psychology
This slide demonstrates how psychological concepts, theories, and research findings can apply to everyday life (suggested learning outcome 4.3).

42. The Prime Adaptive Ego Quality and The Core Pathology
Fidelity to others: the ability to freely pledge and sustain loyalties to others, to values and to ideologies
Dissociation: a sense of separateness or withdrawal from others or an inability to experience the bond of mutual commitment
APA Goal 1: Knowledge Base of Psychology
This slide uses the concepts and language of psychology and applies to the suggested learning outcome 1.4.

43. Applied Topic: Adolescent Alcohol and Drug Use
What are the factors associated with alcohol use?
Physical
Cognitive
Motivation and emotion
Social context
APA Goal 4: Application of Psychology
This slide demonstrates how psychological concepts, theories, and research findings can apply to everyday life and be used to explain and guide social issues (APA suggested learning outcomes 4.3 and 4.4).

44. Your Perspective
Is alcohol and drug use simply a normal rite of passage for adolescents?
If adolescents experiment with alcohol and drugs early, are they more vulnerable to serious involvement with these substances as adults? Why or why not?
What are the health risks associated with adolescent drug and alcohol use?
APA Goal 4: Application of Psychology
This slide demonstrates how psychological concepts, theories, and research findings can apply to everyday life and be used to explain and guide social issues (APA suggested learning outcomes 4.3 and 4.4).
APA Goal 3: Critical Thinking Skills in Psychology
This slide offers students the opportunity to use critical thinking effectively (suggested learning outcome 3.1) by evaluating the quality of information and behavioral claims, developing sound arguments, and articulating problems clearly (3.3 & 3.4).
APA Goal 7: Communication Skills
This slide provides students the opportunity to communicate effectively in a variety of formats such as writing, oral communication, interpersonal communication, and collaboration (suggested learning outcomes 7.1, 7.2, 7.4, and 7.5).