Psychology 350
Lecture 14: Adolescence
11-6-00
Conclude presentation of education & literacy development from last week, then begin discussing Adolesence
Outline
4 Myths About Adolescence
Changes During Puberty
Cognitive Changes
Identity Formation
Friendships
Family Dynamics
Employment
Exam #2:Mon 11/13: 8-10PM
Special needs students (must confirm with your GSI): 1084 East Hall
Jenny’s, Bridget’s, & Melanie’s sections, go to 140 Lorch Hall again
Roxana’s & Janna’s sections in 1324 EH
4 Myths About Adolescence
Adolescence is filled with turmoil
Adolescent problems fade away
Conflict with parents is inevitable
Generation gap is wide
Changes During Puberty
Primary sexual characteristics (associated with reproductive capacity)
genital enlargement
menstruation in females
ejaculation in males
Secondary sexual characteristics (associated with physical appearance)
body hair, muscle development, acne
Early vs Late Maturing Boys
Early maturing boys
satisfied with bodies
active in high school activities
conventional, responsible
Late maturing boys
flexible, adaptive
tolerate ambiguity & stress
Early vs Late Maturing Girls
Early maturing girls
initially embarrassed
seek older friends, date older boys
see themselves as more mature
vulnerable to depression
Late maturing girls are seen as more popular
Sources of Adolescent Anxiety
Body ideal
Sexual behavior
Peer competition & status
Morality/authority
Cognitive Changes
Thinking becomes more
Abstract
Logical
Systematic
Idealistic
Implications for social cognition
Adolescent Egocentrism (according to David Elkind)
Imaginary Audience
everybody is watching me
Personal Fable
it will never happen to me
Adolescent Crises, Tasks, & Accomplishments
Identity - stable sense of self
Autonomy - individuation
Friendships - peers & best friends
Intimacy - emotional reciprocity
Identity Formation
Achievement
choice made by individual
Foreclosure
choice made by others
Diffusion
not concerned about choices
Moratorium (preferred path today)
choices deferred
Ethnic Identity Development
Lack of role models sometimes
Negative stereotypes or ignorance
Need to integrate views of self as:
A member of both minority and majority cultures
A specific ethnic identity
Personal identity
Quest for Autonomy
Individuation = becoming independent
De-idealization of parents
Self-reliance increases
Emotional autonomy increases
Peer conformity increases from grades 5-9
Friendships in Adolescence
Play with same-sex friends until 10-11 yrs
By 13-14 yrs, most establish best friends on the basis of shared values and intimacy
Popularity among peers influences friendships:
boys = athletic ability
girls = appearance
Intimacy
Close emotional relationship based on concern, sharing, and love
Leads to sexual experimentation
Different paths for boys and girls
Conflicts with Parents
The Distancing Hypothesis - Steinberg
Mothers usually have more conflicts with adolescents than fathers
Most conflicts are about daily responsibilities at home, not basic values
Most families learn to avoid conflicts with basic agreements and separate activities
Authoritative parents have fewest conflicts
Family Dynamics
Highly involved fathers show greater acceptance of adolescents’ quest for autonomy
Adolescents in mother-only families have more deviant conduct
‘Latch-key" adolescent girls have more problems and contact with deviant peers than girls with adult supervision
Adolescent Employment
Career goals
Part-time work
Effects of premature affluence