Introductory Psychology: Developmental Psychology AP Psychology: unit III Topic: Adolescence

The Nature of Adolescence A “Carefree Time” versus G. Stanley Hall’s “Storm and Stress” Trends today? How is your adolescence different than my adolescence? How is your adolescence different than your parents adolescence? Cultural differences?

Adolescence: Physical Development Part ONE

Adolescence: Physical Development Characteristics of the Teenage Brain Volume of white matter increases; significant growth of myelin sheath Leads to enhanced conductivity & connectivity in the brain Volume of gray matter decreases; synaptic pruning Elimination of less-active synapses Myelination & pruning are most pronounced in the frontal lobe/prefrontal cortex “Executive control center” Frontal lobe development lags behind the limbic system; not thought to be complete until the mid-20s

Adolescence: Physical Development Sexual Development Growth spurt Girls (age 10); boys (age 12) Puberty generally occurs (on average) two years after the initial growth spurt Pubescence The two-year span preceding puberty during which the changes leading to physical & sexual maturity take place Secondary sex characteristics begin to develop during this period

Adolescence: Physical Development Puberty The onset of sexual maturation; marks the beginning of adolescence; lasts approximately 5 years Primary sex characteristics reach full maturity during this period Menarche & Spermarche Generational differences in puberty?

Adolescence: Physical Development The impact of puberty, especially early developers? Adolescent sexual activity Approximately ¾ of males and ½ females (between 15 and 19) have engaged in sex Average: 16 and 17 for males & females respectively Teenage pregnancy Rate of teen pregnancy has fallen in the last 50 years Highest in U.S. of all industrialized nations

Adolescence: Cognitive Development Part two

Adolescence: Cognitive Development Piaget’s Stage Theory Formal Operational Characteristics of Stage Due to the continuing maturation of the frontal lobes, abstract and hypothetical thinking become possible ***Not all adolescents use their formal operational thought processes equally well…

Adolescence: Cognitive Development Characteristics of Adolescent Thought Introspection Hypocrisy Personal Fable (form of egocentrism) Type of thought common to most adolescents The belief that they (+ their experiences) are unique and therefore, they are protected from harm/invulnerable “You just don’t understand me, I’m different from you!” “It can’t happen to me, I’m special!”

Adolescence: Cognitive Development Characteristics of Adolescent Thought Imaginary Audience (form of egocentrism) Type of thought common to most adolescents The belief that other people are just as concerned about their thoughts & characteristics as they themselves are

Adolescence: Cognitive Development Moral Development (Lawrence Kohlberg, 1973) As with all developmental stage theories, the sequence is unvarying Preconventional Conventional Postconventional Adolescents & adults can be found in all 3 levels

Adolescence: Cognitive Development Preconventional Typical of very young children Focused on self-interest; consequences determine morality Obey rules to: (1) avoid punishment or (2) gain concrete awards EXAMPLE A child who steals a toy from another child & DOES NOT get caught does not see that action as wrong (A: Punishment-Avoidance & Obedience) (B: Exchange of Favors)

Adolescence: Cognitive Development Conventional Typical of older children, adolescents & most adults Conformity is right; nonconformity is wrong One upholds the law simply because it’s the law EXAMPLE A child criticizes his or her parent for speeding because speeding is against the law (C: Good Boy/Good Girl) (D: Law and Order)

Adolescence: Cognitive Development Postconventional (About 20% of the adult population) Moral principles determined by the individual; may disagree with societal norms Actions are judged “right” because they come from self-defined, basic ethical principles EXAMPLE A reporter who wrote a controversial story goes to jail rather than reveal the source’s identity (E: Social Contract) (F: Universal Ethical Principle)

Adolescence: Cognitive Development Criticisms of Kohlberg’s Stage Theory Carole Gilligan (1982) Male-oriented; used only males in his study; proposed that men & women have different perspectives on morality Men: actions that lead to a fair or just end Women: actions that are nonviolent & hurt the fewest people Biased against collectivist societies such as China and India Kohlberg’s methods?

Adolescence: Psychosocial Development Part three

Adolescence: Psychosocial Development Erik Erikson’s Psychosocial Stage Theory Identity versus Role Confusion (Stage 5) The premier challenge of adolescence is the struggle to form a clear sense of identity Stable concept of oneself as a unique individual Adoption of values that provide a sense of direction “Who am I?” “Where am I going in life?” Recognized that this struggle often extends beyond adolescence

James Marcia: Identity Statuses CRISIS Present Absent COMMITTMENT Identity Achievement Successful achievement of a sense of identity Identity Foreclosure Unquestioning adoption of parental or societal values Identity Moratorium Active struggling for a sense of identity Identity Diffusion Absence of struggle for identity, with no obvious concern about it James Marcia: Identity Statuses

Adolescence: Psychosocial Development Jeffrey Arnett, Emerging Adulthood A new transitional period? Ages 18-25; attributed to a variety of demographic trends Length of education; delay of education; delay of parenthood; increasing barriers to financial independence Characteristics Exploration and instability A feeling of “in-betweenness” “Age of possibilities” (Identity formation well into young-adulthood)