Adolescent psychology Self, Identity, and Emotional Development

Today The “Self” in Development Identity Development Emotional Development Personality Development

Self-understanding Individual’s cognitive representation of self Social cognitive construction Provides rational underpinnings of identity Complex developmental process Dimensions in Adolescence: Abstraction & idealism (remember Piaget?) Differentiation Fluctuating self Contradictions within self Real vs. Ideal Self…possible self +/- True vs. False Self … “when can I be me?” Social Comparison Self –consciousness Self-protection Not coherent or integrated (yet) Differentiation: contextual & situation variations in describing self Contradictions tend to decline toward late adolescents…emerging adulthood Adolescents are less willing to admit to engaging in social comparison More likely to be self conscious about self understanding: especially about parts of self visible to public Conflicted nature of adolescents leads to need to self protect. Tend to emphasize positive and not see negative aspects as central to self Integration of self is task of early adulthood…also integration of beliefs and world view

Self Understanding: A Social Cognitive Construction Can vary across relationships & social roles Can differ depending on whether the adolescent is in the role of student, athlete or employee Can differ depending on whether they describe themselves when they are with their mother, father, close friend, romantic partner, or peer Might create different selves depending on their ethnic & cultural background & experiences (Lalonde & Chandler, 2004).

Self-Esteem & Self Concept: Defined What's the difference? Self-esteem Also referred to as self-worth or self-image Global evaluative dimension of the self For example, an adolescent or emerging adult might perceive that she is not merely a person, but a good person. Self-concept Refers to domain-specific evaluations of the self. For example an adolescent may have a negative academic self-concept because he is not doing well at school, but have a positive athletic self-concept because he is a star swimmer.

Self-Esteem Measuring self-esteem in adolescents can be difficult Reflects perceptions that do not always match reality Fluctuates across the life span Tends to decline in adolescence…Why? Self-esteem & school performance in adolescents? What contributes to self esteem in adolescents? Body image, perceived physical attractiveness Contexts: Family cohesion, general peer group approval Consequences of low self esteem Depression, suicide, eating disorders, delinquency, homicide, substance abuse

Fostering Self-Esteem In Adolescents Identify the causes of low self-esteem & the domains of competence important to the self Provide emotional support & social approval Foster achievement Help adolescents to cope

Behavioral Indicators of Self Esteem

Identity Erikson revised… Identity vs. identity confusion Who am I? What am I about? Where am I going? Many new roles Psychosocial moratorium: gap between childhood security & adult autonomy Role & Personality Experimentation Try on different roles and personalities Deliberate effort on the part of adolescents to find their place in the world.

Facets of Identity Identity is composed of many pieces: Vocational/career identity Political identity Religious identity Relationship identity Achievement, intellectual identity Sexual identity Cultural/ethnic identity Interest Personality Physical identity

Contemporary View of identity Development Lengthy, gradual process May not begin or end with adolescence What does happen in adolescence then? Physical, cognitive, & socioemotional development has advanced to the point where they can begin to synthesize identities on a path to adult maturity Identity is not stable through the remainder of life span Flexible & adaptive Multiple Identities?

Identity Statuses James Marcia believes that Erikson’s theory of identity development implies four identity statuses, or ways of resolving the identity crisis: identity diffusion identity foreclosure identity moratorium identity achievement

Terms to know… Crisis: period of identity development during which adolescent is choosing among meaningful alternatives (exploration) Commitment: part of identity development in which adolescents show a personal investment in what they are doing to do

Statuses of Identity (crisis)

Family Influences on Identity Parenting style Individuality self-assertion - ability to have & communicate a point of view separateness - expressing how one is different from others Connectedness mutuality - sensitivity to & respect for others’ views permeability - openness to others’ views

Culture & Ethnic Influences Ethnic identity - a basic aspect of the self ; includes a sense of membership in an ethnic group, along with the attitudes & feelings related to that membership. Bicultural identity - adolescents identify in some ways with their ethnic group & in other ways with the majority culture For ethnic minority individuals identity development can mean having to bridge several cultures to define one’s self

Intimacy & Identity Higher levels of intimacy are linked to stronger identity Why do you think this is true?

Activity time…(remember this?) Lets explore YOUR identity development ! Take out a piece of paper List a minimum of 10 facet of your identity Roles, responsibilities, group membership, beliefs, values, abilities, career.... Then rank the importance of each facet 1 – most important 10 – least important Do the same thing, except focus on the facets of your identity 5 years ago How has your identity develop?

Emotional Development Early adolescence is a time when emotional highs & lows occur more frequently Moodiness is a normal aspect of early adolescence Most adolescents eventually emerge from these moody times & become competent adults For some adolescents, intensely negative emotions can reflect serious problems

Hormones, Experience, and Emotions As adolescents move into adulthood, their moods become less extreme, perhaps due to their adaptation to hormone levels over time What fosters adaptation? Both hormonal changes & environmental experiences are involved in the changing emotions of adolescence

Emotional Development Emotional Competence Example Being aware that the expression of emotions plays a major role in relationships. Adaptively coping by using self-regulatory strategies to decrease intensity & duration of emotional states Being able to discern other’s emotions Knowing the expressing anger on a regular basis toward a friend can cause problems in the relationship Reduce anger by walking away and doing something to take help you cool off Perceive other is sad rather than afraid

Emotional Development Emotional Competence Example Understand that inner emotional state doesn’t have to match outer expression. Adolescents begin to understand how their emotionally expressive behavior may impact others & take that understanding into account in the way they present themselves. Being aware of emotional states without becoming overwhelmed by them Recognize that one can feel angry yet regulate emotion & appear more neutral Differentiating between feeling anxious, angry, sad…And focus on coping rather than becoming overwhelmed by these feelings.

Personality Development Self is the central aspect of personality Traits & Temperament In terms of personality traits, identity development can lead to both stability - the achievement of an identity change - the exploration of new identities & modification of personality traits

Personality Development Big 5 Factors of Personality openness to experience conscientiousness extraversion agreeableness neuroticism (emotional stability)

Personality Development & Temperament An individual’s behavioral style & characteristic way of responding. Through increasing capacities & interactions with the environment, temperament evolves or becomes elaborated across childhood & adolescence into a set of personality traits 3 Temperament Categories (Thomas & Chess) Easy child Difficult child Slow to warm up child

What are some signs?...What can we do? Worst Best Expect to have self-esteem w/o becoming competent Let feelings run the show Silently scream instead of making self known Don’t learn about power Avoid the struggle to find self Live in the extremes Become competent… Master feelings Break the silence Get healthy power Face the serious stuff Find an identity Begin learning how to stake out the extremes