Adolescence Adolescence is the transition period between childhood & adulthood, extending from puberty to independence. It has a large cultural component. Puberty is the period of sexual maturation, when a person becomes capable of reproducing. Spermarche at age 13 for boys, Menarche at age 12 for girls. Fig 15.2 (m 198 c 192) Primary sexual characteristics are the body structures that make reproduction possible. Secondary sex characteristics are non-reproductive, such as female breast, hips and male voice and body hair. These signs have powerful social impact. A year or two before puberty, the adrenal glands become mature, and this is linked with budding sexual attraction.

Adolescence Boys who are stronger and more athletic during their early teen years tend to be more popular, self-assured, and independent, though they are also more at risk for alcohol use, delinquency, and premature sexual activity. (Copeland et al., 2010 m 199 c 192) Girls in various countries are reaching puberty earlier than in the past; this is attributed to increased body fat, increased hormone- mimicking chemicals, and increased stress related to family disruption. Girls who mature early may exhibit more apprehensive responses to male faces & voices. (Belles et al., 2010 m 199 c 192). During adolescence, there is a selective pruning of unused neural structures. (Blakemore, 2008 m 199 c 192). Frontal lobes continue to develop, bringing improved judgment, impulse control and long-term planning. (Kuhn 2006 m 199 c 192).

Adolescence Memorize Table 15.1: Kohlberg's Levels of Moral Thinking (m201 c 194) Jonathan Haidt (2010) disagrees. Much of our morality is based in intuition(limbic system), not reasoning(cerebrum). Even a disgusting taste in the mouth heightens people's disgust over various moral digressions. (Eskine et al., 2011 m 201 c 195) Consider the desire to punish, which is mostly driven by emotion (especially fear). Objectively punishment does little to deter crime, but moral outrage occurs anyway. (Darley, 2009 m 201 c 195). Morality involves doing the right thing, and that can be altered by social influences. As childrens' thinking matures, their behaviour becomes less selfish and more caring. (Miller et al., 1996). This is based on delayed gratification (Funder & Block, 1989 m 202 c 195).

Social Development Memorize Table 15.2: Erikson's Stages of Psychosocial Development. It has stood the test of time. (m 203 c 196) We live in an individualist culture, adolescents usually try out different 'selves' in different situations. The resolution and integration of these 'selves' forms a unique identity. Similarly, a social identity forms around the distinctiveness of your and your friends. Are you a geek? A jock? According to William Damon (2003) a key task of adolescence is to achieve a purpose, to accomplish something personally meaningful that makes a difference to the world beyond oneself. Collegians who have achieved a clear sense of self-identity are less prone to alcohol abuse. (Bishop et al., 2005 m 204 c 197) Emotional intimacy is more intense in our culture than in China. (Li et al., 2010 m 204 c 197)

Parent & Peer Relationships Fig. 15.3 Interviews from a large national study of Canadian families reveal that the typically close, warm parents and preschoolers loosen as the children become older. (StatsCan, 1999 m 205 c 198) Parent-child conflict during early adolescence is greater with first- born than second-born children, greater with mothers than fathers. (Burk et al. 2009 m 204 c 198) Adolescence is typically a time of diminishing parental influence, and growing peer influence. 85% of American parents surveyed said they had a serious talk with their teenagers about drugs; only 45% of the teens remember the talk. (Morrin & Brossard, 1997 m 205 c 198) In teen hotline calls, peer relationships are the most discussed topic. (Boehm et al., 1999 m 205 c 198). Teens see their parents as shaping their religious faith and career choices, and political views. (Lyons, 2005 m 205 c 199).