Adolescence

The period between childhood and adulthood. From puberty (the start of sexual maturation) 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 Module 5: Adolescence

Puberty Matures sexually; Capable of reproducing A flood of hormones: physical and emotional changes!!! Starts at approximately age 11 in females and age 13 in males Major growth spurt

Physical Development

Primary Sex Characteristics Reproductive organs that make sexual reproduction possible

Sexual Characteristics

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

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

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

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 Abstinence

sexual orientation A sexual orientation in which a person is attracted to members of the same sex Approximately 3-4% of male and 1-2% of the female population 1% bisexual (attracted to both)

Cognitive Development: Reasoning Module 5: Adolescence

Cognitive Development: Morality Module 5: Adolescence

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.

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

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

2. Conventional Moral Reasoning Primary concern is to fit in and play the role of a good citizen Strong desire to follow the rules and laws. Typical of most adults

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

Heinz’s Dilemma Kohlberg used “Heinz’s Dilemma” in his experiments. It goes something like this: “ In Europe, a woman was near death from cancer. One drug might save her, a form of radium that a druggist in the same town had recently discovered. The druggist was charging $2000, ten times what the drug cost him to make. The sick woman’s husband, Heinz, went to everyone he knew to borrow money, but could only get together about half of what the drug cost. He told the druggist that his wife was dying and asked him to sell it cheaper or let him pay later, but the druggist said, “No.” Heinz then got desperate and broke into the man’s store to steal the drug for his wife. Should he have done that? Why or why not? Note to teacher: Take some time to discuss how students would respond to this dilemma.

Social Development in Adolescence Module 5: Adolescence

Erik Erikson Constructed an 8- stage theory of social development Each stage has its own psychosocial, developmental task.

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

Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt Toddler (1-2) Exercise free will and do things for themselves Toilet training Parents’ reactions influence child

Initiative vs. Guilt Preschool (3-5) Children learn how to take the initiative Overcontrolling parents can cause guilt

Competence vs. Inferiority The fourth stage: ages 6 to puberty Learning how to function in social situations Failure of socialization causes inferiority

Identity vs. Role Confusion Adolescence “Who am I” “Where am I going in my life?” Primary task for adolescent

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

Social Development in Adolescence: Developing Identity Module 5: Adolescence

Social Development in Adolescence: Developing Intimacy Module 5: Adolescence

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

Social Development in Adolescence: Independence from Family Module 5: Adolescence

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 principal in their lives

Developmental Issues Module 5: Adolescence

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

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

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

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?