Chapter 4 Adolescence

Adolescence Can be defined several ways Time period of mixed abilities and responsibilities Some societies do not recognize adolescence Initiation Rite: Ceremony or ritual marking acceptance into adulthood.

Adolescence con’t G. Stanley Hall: Adolescence is a transitional stage. Fully grown animal in a cage. Storm and stress. Confused, troubled, and highly Frustrated Margaret Mead: Adolescent storm and stress by product of industrialized society.

Adolescence con’t Contemporary studies tend to support Mead’s theory. 11% encounter serious difficulty 32% experience sporadic problems 57% enjoy basically positive, healthy development

Robert Havighurst (1972) identified tasks of the Adolescent Accepting physical make-up/acquiring masculine or feminine traits Develop appropriate relations with age-mates (both sexes) Become emotionally independent from parents and other adults Achieving assurance of economic independence Deciding, preparing, and entering a vocation Developing necessary cognitive skills and concepts for social competence Understanding and achieving socially responsible behavior Preparing for marriage and family Acquiring harmonious & appropriate values

Adolescence con’t Development is highly individualized Many factors affect development: Adjustments in childhood Level of adjustment of parents and peers Changes that occur during adolescence

Physical Development Adolescence is accompanied with puberty-the biological event that marks the end of childhood (Sexual Maturity) Average girl begins puberty between 8-10 yrs old. Average boy begins between 9-16

Physical Development con’t Experience growth spurt prior to puberty Girls experience menarche-1st menstrual cycle Boys experience spermarche- 1st ejaculation

Physical Development con’t Rate and pattern of development varies so much there is no way to apply norms and standards Boys and girls can both experience asynchrony- uneven growth or maturation of body parts

Development Age in Girls Age in Boys Puberty Begins 8-10 9-16 Growth Spurt Peaks 12 14 Menarche/ Spermarche 10-17/another year before cycle becomes regular 12-13

Development Charac. In Girls Charac. In Boys Prior to Growth Spurt Fat tissue develops-Retained through puberty, even added Fat tissue develops - Quickly lost. Growth Spurt Grow 2-3 in/year, breasts and hips fill out, develop pubic hair. Experience menarche Develop pubic hair and larger genitalia. Shoulders broaden, trunk thickens. Develop more muscle tissue and larger heart and lungs. Voice deepens, hair grows on face and chest. Spermarche Growth Spurt Con’t Begins earlier for girls Begins 24-27 months after girls, lasts 3 years longer.

Reactions to Growth Adolescents want to fit in Tend to compare themselves to culture’s body ideals Rate of development can affect personality. Can result in a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Sexual Development Patterns of sexual behavior vary from generation to generation and culture to culture Fear of STD’s, AIDS, and unwanted pregnancy have caused adolescents to examine risks of sexual activity. Caused debate over role of family, religion, and government in sex ed.

Cognitive Development At age 11-12, reach formal Operations thinking. Can think abstractly Can rationalize unpleasant emotions or behaviors Rate varies. Culture may be a factor. Adolescents may struggle regulating.

Problems developed Finding fault with authority Argumentativeness Indecisiveness Apparent Hypocrisy Self-Consciousness Invulnerability

Moral Development Before adolescence, morality based on consequences. Adolescents move to Stage 4(Kohlberg): Socially acceptable. Some advance to Stage 5 and 6. 5: Fair and just 6: Form absolute ethical principles Parent relationship has largest impact

Erik Erikson’s Psychosocial Development Identity Crisis- A time of inner conflict during which adolescents worry intensely about their identity Stage 5:Identity vs. Role Confusion Who am I Find a way to express themselves through an identity that is socially acceptable

James Marcia Agreed with Erikson 4 stages of identity: 1.Identity Moratorium-Have considered, made no decision 2.Identity Foreclosure-Have made decisions based on influence of others. 3. Identity Confused- Have not considered and made no decision 4.Identity achievement- Have made decision freely and openly.

Social Learning View Albert Bandura-Learn identity through interaction Margaret Mead- continuous process.

Social Development Achieving autonomy is a major goal of adolescence Families have changed markedly since 1970 Parents must deal with letting children go Children struggle with fear of failing.

Social Development Peer groups eventually replace parents. Cliques reinforce and influence behavior. Personal characteristics are a major factor in acceptance

Social Development Fear of being disliked leads to conformity Basic values still heavily influenced by parents

Difficulties during adolescence Changes can lead to psychological problems Adolescents have feeling of invulnerability Many carry troubles with them to adulthood.

Depression and Suicide Can be triggered by loss Death Relocation Separation/Divorce Depressed teen will appear angry and act out

Eating Disorders Anorexia Nervosa-refusing to eat See themselves as fat Refusal to grow up Control over life Bulimia Nervosa-binge and purge Obsessed with body shape and weight Need to find approval Depression, anxiety, and mood swings

Gender Roles Gender Identity-Physical Traits that make one male or female Gender Role-Standard by which a certain Gender Identity is supposed to behave Partly defined by genetic make-up Mostly defined by society and culture

Gender Roles Gender Roles vary from culture to culture. May change over time within one culture In our society, Gender Roles have blurred. Androgynous Roles-involve mixture of traditionally male and female roles.

Gender Differences: Personality Males more self-confident Women perceive as less confident, unless given direct feedback. Males use physical aggression. Females use verbal aggression. Men actually talk more Women use hedges, disclaimers, and tag questions.

Gender Differences: Cognitive Abilities Little difference between males and females Perform the same until high school Males outperform in problem solving and mathematics Females better at tracking objects

Origins of Gender Differences Biological Theory-Genetic, evolved from behaviors of early people Psychoanalytical-develop from identifying with same-sex parent Social Learning Theory-Children learn roles through observation Cognitive-Developmental Theory-acquire roles through interacting and then thinking about experiences Develop Gender Schema

Changing Gender Roles Have changed dramatically in US in last 40 years Women still advance slower than men in the workplace.