The transition period from childhood to adulthood. Adolescence The transition period from childhood to adulthood.

Is adolescence getting longer or shorter?

Physical Development It all begins with puberty Puberty: the period of sexual maturation, during which a person becomes capable of reproducing.

Primary Sexual Characteristics The body structures that make sexual reproduction possible Female: ovaries (what hormones?) – estrogen, progesterone Male: Testicles (what hormone?) - testosterone

Secondary Sexual Characteristics Nonreproductive sexual characteristics Female breasts, curved body shape…widening hips Deepening of male voice, body hair

When does puberty start? The Landmarks First ejaculation for boys Menarche (meh NAR key) for girls Do we remember these things?

Sequence is way more predictable than the timing. Puberty Sequence is way more predictable than the timing. How might timing differences effect an adolescent socially? Boys? Girls? Early bloomers? Late bloomers?

Frontal Lobe development and impulse control Myelin growth accelerates Frontal lobe maturation lags the emotional limbic system (hippocampus, hypothalamus, amygdala) Pubertal hormonal surge and limbic system development helps to explain teen’s occasional impulsiveness, risky behaviors, emotional storms Frontal lobes matures by age 25—improved judgment, impulse control and the ability to plan for the long term Are teens responsible for their behavior then? What has the US Supreme Court said about juvenile capital cases?

Cognitive Development Have the ability to reason but……. The reasoning is self-focused. Assume that their experiences are unique. Experience formal operational thought

Lawrence Kohlberg and his stages of Morality Preconventional Morality Conventional Morality Postconventional Morality

Preconventional Morality Morality of self- interest Their actions are either to avoid punishment or to gain rewards. Before age 9

Conventional Morality Morality is based upon obeying laws to Maintain social order To gain social approval Early adolescence

Postconventional Morality Morality based on your own ethical principles.

Kohlberg’s Moral Ladder Morality of abstract principles: to affirm agreed-upon rights and personal ethical principles As moral development progresses, the focus of concern moves from the self to the wider social world. Postconventional level Conventional level Morality of law and social rules: to gain approval or avoid disapproval Preconventional level Morality of self-interest: to avoid punishment or gain concrete rewards

Lawrence Kohlberg’s Theory of Moral Development Criticisms Great deal of overlap Gender bias (girls are taught empathy, while boys are taught justice) Cognitive abilities influence moral development See other people’s point of view Understanding vs. action Culture bound—biased against communal societies such as China and India

Talk is Cheap How do we turn morality into action? Teach Empathy Self-discipline to delay gratification Model moral behavior

Its all about forming an identity!!! Social Development Its all about forming an identity!!!

Identity One’s sense of self. The idea that an adolescent’s job is to find oneself by testing various roles. Comes from Erik Erikson’s stages of Psychosocial development.

Identity Some teenagers take their identity early by sharing their parents values and expectations. Some teenagers will adopt a negative identity- opposition to society, but conforms to a peer group.

Intimacy Towards the end of adolescence, intimacy becomes the prime goal. Can you list the intimacy differences between men and women?

Trust vs. Mistrust Age Important Event Description Birth - 18 months Feeding Infants form a loving, trusting relationship with parents; they also learn to mistrust others.

Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt Age Important Event Description 18 months - 3 Years Toilet Training Child's energies are directed toward physical skills: walking, grasping, and toilet training. The child learns control along with a healthy dose of shame and doubt.

Initiative vs. Guilt Age Important Event Description 3 - 5 Years Independence Child becomes more assertive, takes more initiative, becomes more forceful.

Competence vs. Inferiority Age Important Event Description 6 - 12 Years School The child must deal with demands to learn new skills while risking a sense of inferiority and failure

Identity vs. Role Confusion Age Important Event Description Adolescence (teens to early 20s) Peers Teens must achieve self-identity while deciphering their roles in occupation, politics, and religion.

Intimacy vs. Isolation Age Important Event Description Young Adult (20s –early 40s) Relationships The young adult must develop marriage-seeking relationships while combating feelings of isolation.

Generativity vs. Stagnation Age Important Event Description Middle Adult (40s-60s) Parenting Assuming the role of parents signifies the need to continue the generations while avoiding the inevitable feeling of failure.

Integrity vs. Despair Age Important Event Description Late Adult (late 60s and up) Life Reflection Acceptance of one's lifetime accomplishments and sense of fulfillment.

Gender Development Biology (neuroscience) perspective: Corpus Callosum larger in woman. Psychodynamic perspective: Competition for opposite sex parent. Social-Cognitive Perspective : Gender Schema Theory Behavioral Perspective: Social Learning Theory