1. SOCIOEMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN ADOLESCENCE
Chapter 16
© 2013 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

2. Identity A self-portrait of many pieces, a synthesis of:
Career and work path chosen
Political, religious, relationship identities
Achievement, intellectual identity
Sexual, cultural/ethnic identities
Interests, personality, physical identity
A lengthy, complex, lifelong process
Changing and renegotiated

3. Identity Erikson’s view
Believed to be a key aspect of adolescent development
5th stage: Identity vs. identity confusion
Confusion takes two forms:
Self-isolation or lost in the crowd
Identity search aided by psychosocial moratorium – transition, exploratory time

4. Identity
James Marcia
Four statuses of identity inferred in Erikson’s identity
Crisis – period of exploration in identity
Commitment – personal investment

5. Marcia’s Identity Statuses

6. Identity Emerging adulthood and beyond
Key changes likely occur in ages 18 to 25
College students’ identity more stable in vocational choices than high school students
Not so for religious beliefs, political ideology
College creates increasing complexities
Social commitments
New experiences
Freedoms, self-discipline

7. Identity Family influences In general, enhances identity formation
Individuality within family (2 dimensions)
Self-assertion
Separateness
Connectedness with family (2 dimensions)
Mutuality (sensitivity, respect)
Permeability (openness to other views)
In general, enhances identity formation

8. Identity Ethnic identity
Sense of membership in ethnic group; also attitudes and feelings related to the group
Influenced by sociocultural contexts
Indicators of identity often differ among generations of immigrants
Existing environmental social factors have impact, such as crime and unemployment

9. Emotional Development
More extreme emotions
Emotions more changeable, fleeting
Moodiness is normal
Decrease in overall happiness
Risk of depression
Pubertal changes and environmental experiences linked to negative emotions

10. Autonomy and Attachment
Push for autonomy
Conflict when adolescents push for autonomy
Parents should relinquish control gradually, as adolescent is able to make reasonable decisions
Gender and culture affect seeking and granting autonomy

11. Autonomy and Attachment
Role of attachment
Quality of attachment between parents and adolescent has some impact on involvement in problem/risky behaviors
Balancing freedom and control
Parents play important role; monitor and guide, quality relationship and limitations

12. Parent-Adolescent Conflict
Escalated conflict due to
Biological changes (puberty)
Cognitive changes (idealism, logic)
Social changes (independence, identity)
Maturational changes
Violated expectations
Prolonged conflict is unhealthy
Linked to many behavioral problems

13. Friendships Sullivan’s ideas stood the test of time
Dramatic increase in psychological importance and intimacy of close friends
Most motivated by popularity with peers
Peers help shape development; increased mutual dependency for many needs
Friends’ character and quality of friendship are important influences
Choice varies among individuals

14. Peer Groups Peer pressure can be negative; most is positive
Recent study of ages 14 to 18
Important to stand up for own principles
Adolescents conform more to peer standards than younger children do
Resist parental influence stronger in U.S.
Self-esteem can motivate membership

15. Peer Groups Cliques Crowds Average 5 to 6 people Usually same sex, age
Formed from shared activities, friendship
Crowds
Larger than cliques, more informal
Usually formed based on reputation
May not spend much time together

16. Dating and Romantic Relationships
Spend considerable time dating, thinking about it
By 10th grade; about 50% had relationship lasting more than 2 months
By 12th grade: others did not have relationship lasting 2 months or more
Today, teens find comfort in numbers, hanging out in mixed-sex groups more

17. Dating and Romantic Relationships
Cyberdating
Alternative to traditional dating
Gay male and lesbian youth
Little research done here
Many hide their orientation
For most: same-sex experience is experiment
Go on to heterosexual orientation later

18. Juvenile Delinquency
Juvenile delinquent: adolescent who breaks laws, engages in illegal behavior
Broad concept; much higher risks for males
Great increase in female delinquency
Issues of controversy
Adolescent tried as adult; does it reduce crime rates?
States adopting ‘get tough’ policies

19. Juvenile Delinquency Causes Proposed:
Heredity, identity problems, community influences, family experiences
Erikson: restricted social roles, unrealistic expectations for them
More common in lower SES
Lower class culture promotes it?

20. Juvenile Delinquency Causes Lower cultural gangs and peers?
Antisocial gangs, counterproductivity
Neighborhoods have higher crime rates
Criminal role models
Personal, family problems
Unemployment, lack of employment skills, dysfunctional family, poor parenting, etc.

21. Depression
Females experience and express it more than males for various reasons
Family factors put some youth at risk
Peer relationships linked to depression
Romantic relationships increase risks
Onset in early adolescence linked to negative outcomes later
Most treatments include medications

22. Suicide Rare in childhood, risks increase with age
Third leading cause of adolescent death; emerging adults at risk 3 times more than adolescents
Suicidal peers is influential factor
Threats should be viewed seriously
Gay males and lesbians at highest risk
Females use pills, cut wrists
Males use lethal means

23. Interrelation of problems and Successful Prevention/Intervention
4 problems affecting adolescents most:
Drug abuse
Juvenile delinquency
Sexual problems
School-related problems
In the U.S.:
Estimated 10% engage in above behaviors