CHILDHOOD & ADOLESCENCE

CHILDHOOD Physical Development More extensive neural networks continue to develop in the brain Growth rate continues to decline

CHILDHOOD Social Development Interaction with the environment provides a sense of gender identity A greater sense of independence develops as peer relationships begin to become more important Erikson’s Stages of Psychosocial Development

CHILDHOOD Cognitive Development -Continues at a rapid rate. There are advances in the areas of: 1. Learning 2. Language 3. Thinking Skills -Piaget’s Stages of Cognitive Development

ADOLESCENCE Begins as early as... 9 years old (early onset of puberty)/10-12 years old Ends around… 18 – 21 years old ***Adolescent development relates to many important societal problems including suicide, teen pregnancy, & eating disorders

ADOLESCENT PHYSICAL & SEXUAL DEVELOPMENT Physical/Sexual Development Puberty Rapid skeletal & sexual maturation Dramatic physical changes happen mostly in early adolescence Brain Changes Amygdala – processes info about emotions Prefrontal Cortex – involved in high order functioning & decision making

ADOLESCENT PHYSICAL & SEXUAL DEVELOPMENT CONTINUED Hormonal Changes Testosterone (males) development of genitals, height increase, voice change Estradiol (females) breast, uterine & skeletal development Hormonal changes account for at least some of the emotional ups and downs of adolescence Physical and Socioemotional developments are intertwined

SOCIAL/EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT Social Development Peer groups take an increasingly important role Opposite-sex relationships gradually become less recreational & more intimate Erikson believed the key challenge of adolescence is: Identity formation

IDENTITY FORMATION VS IDENTITY CONFUSION Faced with challenge of finding out who you are, what you are all about, and where you are going in life Confronted with new roles & a “young adult” status Erikson argued parents should allow teens time to explore different roles & paths & those who explore can reach some resolution and emerge with a new healthy sense of self Those who are denied this might become withdrawn & isolated from peers

ADOLESCENCE: COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT Cognitive Development Capability for logical, hypothetical and introspective thinking develops Growing awareness of one’s mental processes develops -> metacognition Kohlberg’s Levels of Moral Thinking