1. Psychology 203 Human Development
Psychosocial Development in Adolescence
Chapter 12
10/13/2005
Part taken from Human Development 9e

2. Search for Identity (Erikson)
Identity – coherent conception of the self, made up of goals, values, and beliefs to which a person is solidly committed.
Identity versus identity confusion – seeks to develop a coherent sense of self, including their role in society
The desirable outcome of the crisis of adolescence, according to Erikson, is being able to see oneself as a unique person with a meaningful role in life
10/13/2005
Part taken from Human Development 9e

3. Search for Identity (Erikson)
Identity forms as young people resolve three major issues:
Choice of occupation
Adoption of values to believe in and live by
Development of satisfying sexual identity
(Erikson has a male orientation)
10/13/2005
Part taken from Human Development 9e

4. Identity Statuses (James Marcia)
Identity Achievement
Crisis leading to commitment
Foreclosure
Commitment without crisis
Moratorium
Crisis with no commitment yet
Identity Diffusion
No Commitment, no crisis
10/13/2005
Part taken from Human Development 9e

5. Gender Differences Identity Formation
Identity and intimacy develop together (Erikson)
The female sense of self development is through establishing relationships (Brown & Gilligan)
Self-esteem develops in the context of relationship with same sex peers (both males and females)
10/13/2005
Part taken from Human Development 9e

6. Ethnic Factors in Identity
Acceptance of ethnicity is critical for identity
Diffused
No exploration or understanding
Foreclosed
No exploration by clear feelings
Moratorium
Beginning exploration but confused
Achieved
Explored, understanding and acceptance
10/13/2005
Part taken from Human Development 9e

7. Part taken from Human Development 9e
Sexual Orientation
Focus of consistent sexual, romantic, and affectionate interest, either heterosexual, homosexual, or bisexual.
Sex hormones in a fetus between second and fifth months (Ellis 1987)
Female hormones – attracted to males after puberty
Male hormones – attracted to females after puberty
10/13/2005
Part taken from Human Development 9e

8. Part taken from Human Development 9e
Sexual Behavior
Heterosexual Activity
Sexual intercourse by age 18 (1999 study)
Girls 65%
Boys 68%
Sex with more then one partner
Age girls never married 63%
Age boys never married 75%
Oral sex and mutual masturbation are not regarded as sexual activity
10/13/2005
Part taken from Human Development 9e

9. Sexual Behavior Homosexual Identity and behavior
Development Model
Age 8-11
Awareness of same-sex attraction
Ages 12-15
Same-sex sexual behaviors
Ages 15-18
Identification of gay or lesbian
Ages 17-19
Disclosure to others
Ages 18-20
Development of same-sex romantic relationships
10/13/2005
Part taken from Human Development 9e

10. Sexual Behavior Sexual Risk Taking
STD’s – Sexually transmitted diseases
More likely to take risks
Socioeconomic ally disadvantaged communities
Substance use
Antisocial behavior
Deviant peer association
Less Likely to take risks
Elementary grades school achievement
Elementary grades school positive social skills
10/13/2005
Part taken from Human Development 9e

11. Sexual Behavior Early Sexual Activity
10/13/2005
Part taken from Human Development 9e

12. Sexual Behavior Contraceptive Use
Sexually active girl not using contraceptive has 90% chance of pregnancy within a year.
Condoms best protection against both STD and pregnancy.
“No” evidence that education about condom use increased sexual activity
10/13/2005
Part taken from Human Development 9e

13. Sexual Behavior Sex Information
Most teenagers get information from media. Associating sex with:
Fun
Excitement
Competition
Danger
Violence
Rarely showing risks of unprotected sex
10/13/2005
Part taken from Human Development 9e

14. Sexual Behavior Sexually Transmitted Diseases
3 million teenagers – one in four in US contact STD’s
One in three cases of STDs occurs among adolescents
A girls Single unprotected sexual encounter with infected partner runs:
1% risk HIV
30% risk genital herpes
50% risk gonorrhea
10/13/2005
Part taken from Human Development 9e

15. Sexual Behavior Teenage Pregnancy
10% of all US births are from teenagers
Teenage birthrates in US lowest in six decades
Decrease in sexual activity
Increase use of contraceptives
Teenage mother are likely to:
Drop out of school
Repeated pregnancies
Lack maturity
Lack parenting skills
Lack social support
Teenage pregnancy is generational. Their children are likely to repeat their parents
10/13/2005
Part taken from Human Development 9e

16. Adolescence Relationships
Powerful bonding agent in adolescence is age.
Spend more time with peers, less with family
Fundamental values remain closer to parents
Look to peers for companionship and intimacy
Look to parents for “secure base”
10/13/2005
Part taken from Human Development 9e

17. Adolescence Rebellion
One in five adolescents
Emotional turmoil
Family conflict
Alienation from adult society
Reckless behavior
Rejection of adults’ values
In western cultures adolescence can be difficult time
Depression
Risky behavior are more common in adolescence the any other life span.
10/13/2005
Part taken from Human Development 9e

18. Adolescence Discretionary Time
More discretionary time, more time for peer socialization
Technologically advanced societies
Less discretionary time, less time for peer socialization
Tribal or peasant societies
10/13/2005
Part taken from Human Development 9e

19. Adolescents and Parents
Adolescents feel tension
between dependency on parents and need to break away.
Parents have same tension
Giving adolescents enough independence while protecting them from immature lapses in judgment.
10/13/2005
Part taken from Human Development 9e

20. Adolescents and Parents
Adolescents increasingly take a more leadership role in one-on-one conversations with parents
Mature toward autonomy but still look of parents for:
Comfort
Support
Advice
10/13/2005
Part taken from Human Development 9e

21. Adolescents and Parents
Parental conflict increases with increased autonomy
Conflict decreases in late adolescence because of adjustments to changes and renegotiation of balance of power
10/13/2005
Part taken from Human Development 9e

22. Adolescents and Parents Parenting Styles
Authoritative parenting seems to work the best
Overly strict authoritarian is counterproductive
Authoritative parents insist on:
Rules
Norms
Values
Willingness to listen, explain and negotiate
10/13/2005
Part taken from Human Development 9e

23. Adolescents and Parents Parenting Styles
Strict parents have fewer behavior problems
Adolescents develop
Self-control
Self-discipline
Good study habits
Good personal habits
10/13/2005
Part taken from Human Development 9e

24. Adolescents and Parents Family Structure and Mothers Employment
No difference in family structure or mothers employment as long as they have close and consistent supervision
10/13/2005
Part taken from Human Development 9e

25. Adolescents and Parents Economic Stress
Adolescent development is hindered by lack of money
Economic stress on the parents is the major problem
Can be overcome if parents have social support
10/13/2005
Part taken from Human Development 9e

26. Adolescents and Siblings
Adolescents begin to separate from family spending less time with them, more time with peers
Less emotional gratification
Less closeness
Less sibling influence
Separation from sibling complete by age 12
10/13/2005
Part taken from Human Development 9e

27. Part taken from Human Development 9e
Adolescents and Peers
Seek emotional support from peers also going through like changes
Rapid physical changes
Challenging adult standards
Challenging parental authority
challenging parents adequacy
Peer influence is strongest in early adolescents, ages 12-13
10/13/2005
Part taken from Human Development 9e

28. Adolescents and Peers Popularity
Five peer status groups
Popular
Rejected – largest adjustment problems
Boys are aggressive, antisocial
Girls are shy, isolated, unhappy and low self-image
Neglected – more boys then girls
Controversial
Boys are aggressive and antisocial but leaders
Girls are snobbish, arrogant and form cliques
Average
10/13/2005
Part taken from Human Development 9e

29. Adolescents and Peers Friendships
Friendship are based on:
Choice
Commitment
More unstable than family relationships
Select friends who are like them
Genetic factors are the largest influence in selecting friends
Intensity and importance of friendship are grater that any other time in lifespan
10/13/2005
Part taken from Human Development 9e

30. Adolescents in Trouble
Parents often worry about teenagers “falling in with the wrong crowd”
Parent upbringing major influence of choice of peer groups and friends. Gravitate to others brought up like themselves
Parents, in early years, shape social behavior by whether thy meet children’s basic emotional needs.
10/13/2005
Part taken from Human Development 9e

31. Adolescents in Trouble
Chronic delinquents
Parents did not reinforced for good behavior
Parents are harsh or inconsistent in punishing misbehavior
Parents not closely or positively involved in their children’s lives
Parents give payoffs for antisocial behavior by giving:
Gain attention
Get their own way
10/13/2005
Part taken from Human Development 9e

32. Adolescents in Trouble Preventing and Treating
Juvenile delinquency has roots in early childhood so must preventive efforts
Preventive programs from first through sixth grades
Delinquency peeks at age 15
Most grow out of it with maturity
10/13/2005
Part taken from Human Development 9e

33. Adolescents in Trouble Preventing and Treating
Effective programs
Individual risks and environmental conditions
Focus on building skills and competencies
Parent effectiveness training
Improve school’s social climate
10/13/2005
Part taken from Human Development 9e

34. Adolescents in Trouble Preventing and Treating
Older students
Reduce exposure to high-risk setting
Adult monitoring after school, weekends, and summers
10/13/2005
Part taken from Human Development 9e