Adolescence

Between childhood and adulthood. From puberty to independence from parents. Getting longer and longer.

Before 1850 The concept of adolescence didn’t exist. Formal education ended at 8 th grade. Married, farming, family before 20 years old!

Today?.... Starts with maturation which is happening 2 years earlier than it did 100 years ago. Extended on the other end as well: –College, Grad School, Careers Waiting to marry and start families. WHY IS THIS SO CONFUSING? 10 items that identify “Who I Am”

Physical Development in Adolescence

Gender Development Gender: in psychology, the biologically and socially influenced characteristics by which people define male and female.Gender

Gender Development Gender Similarities and Differences Gender and aggression –AggressionAggression Physical versus relational aggression Gender and social power Gender and social connectedness

Gender Development The Nature of Gender Sex chromosomes –X chromosomeX chromosome –both men & women. –Females 2; Males 1 –X chromosome from each parent = female child.

Gender Development The Nature of Gender Sex chromosomes –Y chromosomeY chromosome –Only in males –Paired with X chromosome from the mother = male child

Gender Development The Nature of Gender Sex hormones –TestosteroneTestosterone –most important male sex hormone. –Both males and females have it –Additional in males: Stimulates growth of the male sex organs in the fetus and the development of the male sex characteristics during puberty.

Gender Development The Nurture of Gender Role –Set of expectations (norms) about a social position –Defines how those ought to behave Gender Role –Set of expected behaviors for males or for females

Gender Development The Nurture of Gender Gender Identity –Sense of being male or female Gender Type –The acquisition of the traditional masculine or feminine role. Social Learning Theory –We learn social behavior by observing and imitating and by being rewarded or punished

Parents and Peers

Parents and Early Experiences Experience and brain development

Parents and Early Experiences Experience and brain development

Parents and Early Experiences Experience and brain development

Parents and Early Experiences Experience and brain development

Parents and Early Experiences Experience and brain development

Puberty Matures sexually; Capable of reproducing Flood of hormones: physical and emotional changes!!! Starts ~ females age 11 and males age 13 Major growth spurt

Physical Development

Primary Sex Characteristics Reproductive organs that make sexual reproduction possible Ovaries females Testes males

Secondary Sex Characteristics Nonreproductive sexual characteristics Examples for Females??? Examples for males???

Sexual Characteristics

Reactions to Growth Early development: An advantage? Gender differences Body image and depression

Body Image & Adolescence One of the largest concerns… WHY? What are the top 3 eating disorders?

Anorexia Nervosa Eating disorder Appears first in puberty Starve themselves 15% below normal body weight Combine starvation and exercise Menstruation stops

Bulimia Eating binges and then vomit Suffer low potassium levels, dental decay, heart problems Concerned with how society judges them

Anorexia & Bulimia Anorexia and Bulimia education.com/index. cfm?guidAssetId=F85 F1D11-B685-43B4- A9B0- CED3AD0D0EEC&bl nFromSearch=1&pro ductcode=DHC

Obesity 10% higher than recommended body weight 20-30% of adolescences Family history, food, stress, lack of exercise, low self- esteem, depression Heart disease, diabetes, trouble sleeping, breathing problems

Obesity Encourage a BMI, Body Mass Index, under 25 om/video/watch/?id= n

Level of Analysis for Our Hunger Motivation

Obesity and Weight Control The Physiology of Obesity Fat Cells

Obesity

Obesity and Weight Control Realistic and moderate goals

Body Image 806c e49

Sexual Orientation

Attraction toward people of a particular gender Heterosexual or homosexual; small minority bisexual Source of conflict, anxiety and misunderstanding

Heterosexual Attracted to members of the opposite sex “straight” Homosexual Attracted to members of the same sex Approximately 3-4% of male and 1-2% of the female population 1% bisexual

Sexual Attitudes and Behavior Increased sexual awareness and activity Role of society –Church, school, government Does sex education promote promiscuity?

Sexually Transmitted Diseases Three million cases of STDs each year in the U.S. Fears about STDs/AIDS So, #1 way?

Abstinence

Cognitive Development: Reasoning

Formal Operational Stage Piaget’s 4 th and final stage of cognitive development Person can now think logically, hypothetically, and in the abstract Qualitative change: don’t just think more, they think differently.

Cognitive Development: Morality

Lawrence Kohlberg How children develop a sense of right and wrong He focused on moral reasoning (three levels)

1. Preconventional Moral Reasoning Typically children under the age of 9 Focuses on self-interest Characterized by the desire to avoid punishment or gain reward

2. Conventional Moral Reasoning By early adolescence and most adults Primary concerns: –Fit in to society –Play role of a good citizen –Follow rules and laws –Caring for others

3. Postconventional Moral Reasoning Characterized by references to universal ethical principles Represent the rights or obligations of all people Most adults do not reach this level

Heinz’s Dilemma

Social Development in Adolescence

Erik Erikson Constructed an 8-stage theory of social development Each stage has its own psychosocial task, a crisis that needs resolution

Trust vs. Mistrust First year of life Meeting needs, learning to trust Primary task for an infant

Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt Toddler (1-3) Exercise free will and do things for themselves Parents’ reactions influence child Examples?

Initiative vs. Guilt Preschool (3-6) Learn to initiate tasks and carry out plans Over controlling parents can cause guilt

Competence vs. Inferiority Ages 6 to puberty Learn how to function in social situations Failure causes inferiority

Identity vs. Role Confusion Teens-20’s Refining a sense of self by testing roles Integrate them into a single identity Primary task for an adolescent Questions they ask?

Social Development in Adolescence

Identity A strong, consistent sense of who and what you are! Identity search includes the following characteristics: –Experimentation –Rebellion –“Self”-ishness –Optimism and energy

Intimacy A close, sharing, emotional, and honest relationship with other people To Erikson this is the primary task of early adulthood Not necessarily one’s spouse or a sexual relationship

Independence Begins in childhood and picks up speed in adolescence. Primary attachment: Parents to Peers 97% get along fairly or very well with parents “Family relationships” were the most important guiding principle in their lives

The End

Three Key Developmental Issues Module 5: Adolescence

1. Continuity and Stages How much of behavior is continuous and how much follows a more stage like development?

Types of Growth Patterns

2. Stability and Change Which developmental traits remain stable over time, and which change?

3. Nature and Nurture How much of our behavior is due to nature and how much is due to nurture? How do nature and nurture interact in development?