What is Adolescence?

Adolescence The period between childhood and adulthood From puberty (the start of sexual maturation) to independence from parents

Physical Development in Adolescence

Puberty The period of sexual maturation where the person becomes capable of reproducing Starts at approximately age 11 in females and age 13 in males Major growth spurt

Physical Development

Primary Sex Characteristics The body structures that make sexual reproduction possible Ovaries in females Testes in males

Secondary Sex Characteristics Nonreproductive sexual characteristics Breasts and hips in females Facial hair and voice changes in males

Sexual Characteristics

Sexual Orientation One’s attraction toward people of a particular gender Usually heterosexual or homosexual; small minority bisexual

Heterosexual A sexual orientation in which a person is attracted to members of the opposite sex “straight”

Homosexual A sexual orientation in which a person is attracted to members of the same sex Approximately 6-8% of the male population and 3-4% of the female population

Social Development in Adolescence

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

Trust v. mistrust Infancy to 1 year If needs meet infant develops a sense of basic trust, or will develop mistrust

Autonomy v. shame and doubt 1 to 2 years Learn to exercise and do things for self or they will doubt their abilities

Initiative v. guilt 3 to 5 Learn to initiate tasks and carry out plans or they feel guilty about efforts to be independent

Competence (industry) v. inferiority 6 years to puberty Learn pressure of applying themselves to a tasks, or they feel guilty

Identity v. role confusion Teens into 20s Refining sense of self by testing roles – challenging authority eventually find SELF or become confused about who they are

Intimacy v. isolation 20s to 40s Forming close relationships Deeper love or socially isolated

Generativity v. stagnation 40s to 60s discover sense of contributing to the world or they may feel lack of purpose

Ego integrity v. despair 60 and up Reflecting on life either feel satisfied or failure

Social Development in Adolescence: Developing Identity

Identity A strong, consistent sense of who and what a person is, search through: Experimentation Rebellion “Self”-ishness Optimism and energy

Intimacy A close, sharing, emotional, and honest relationship with other people (primary task of early adulthood) Not necessarily one’s spouse or a sexual relationship

Adulthood How easily one passes between stages depends on cultural and economic factors Erickson showed that development is an ongoing process that is never finished

Are Adults Prisoners of Childhood? Traumatized children are more likely to have emotional and behavioral problems Evidence from the following suggest that negative effects are not inevitable

Partnerships formed Parenthood Work (double shift) Midlife crisis/transition

Menopause Retirement Change in relationships- empty nest, death of family & friends