Adolescence

Adolescence • Between childhood and adulthood.

• From puberty (the start of sexual maturation) to independence from parents.

• Getting longer and longer.

Before 1850

• The concept of adolescence didn’t exist.

• Formal education ended at 8 th grade.

• Married, farming, family before 20 years old!

Today?....

• Starts with maturation which is happening 2 years earlier than it did 100 years ago.

• Extended on the other end as well: – College, Grad School, Careers • Waiting to marry and start families.

• WHY IS THIS SO CONFUSING?

• 10 items that identify “Who I Am”

Physical Development in Adolescence

Gender Development • Gender : in psychology, the biologically and socially influenced characteristics by which people define male and female.

Gender Development

The Nature of Gender

• Sex chromosomes – X chromosome – found in both men & women.

– Females have two; males have one – An X chromosome from each parent produces a female child.

Gender Development

The Nature of Gender

• Sex chromosomes – Y chromosome – found only in males – When paired with an X chromosome from the mother, it produces a male child

Gender Development

The Nature of Gender

• Sex hormones – Testosterone – most important male sex hormone.

– Both males and females have it – Additional in males: • Stimulates growth of the male sex organs in the fetus and the development of the male sex characteristics during puberty.

Gender Development

The Nurture of Gender

• Role – Set of expectations (norms) about a social position – Defines how those in the position ought to behave • Gender Role – Set of expected behaviors for males or for females

Gender Development

The Nurture of Gender

• Gender Identity – Our sense of being male or female • Gender Type – The acquisition of the traditional masculine or feminine role.

• Social Learning Theory – We learn social behavior by observing and imitating and by being rewarded or punished

Puberty • Matures sexually; Capable of reproducing • A flood of hormones: physical and emotional changes!!!

• Starts at approximately age 11 in females and age 13 in males • Major growth spurt

Physical Development

Primary Sex Characteristics • Reproductive organs that make sexual reproduction possible • Ovaries in females • Testes in males

Secondary Sex Characteristics • Nonreproductive sexual characteristics • Breasts and hips in females • Facial hair and voice changes in males

Reactions to Growth

• Early development: An advantage?

• Gender differences • Body image and depression

Anorexia Nervosa

• Eating disorder • Appears first in puberty • Starve themselves • 15% below normal body weight • Combine starvation and exercise • Menstruation stops

Bulimia

• Eating binges and then vomit • Suffer low potassium levels, dental decay, heart problems • Concerned with how society judges them

• 10% higher than

Obesity

recommended body weight • 20-30% of adolescences • Family history, food, stress, lack of exercise, low self esteem, depression • Heart disease, diabetes, trouble sleeping, breathing problems

Level of Analysis for Our Hunger Motivation

Sexual Orientation • Attraction toward people of a particular gender • Heterosexual or homosexual; small minority bisexual • Source of conflict, anxiety and misunderstanding

Heterosexual • Attracted to members of the opposite sex • “straight” Homosexual • Attracted to members of the same sex • Approximately 3-4% of male and 1-2% of the female population • 1% bisexual

Sexual Attitudes and Behavior

• Increased sexual awareness and activity • Role of society – Church, school, government • Does sex education promote promiscuity?

Sexually Transmitted Diseases

• Three million cases of STDs each year in the U.S.

• Fears about STDs/AIDS • So, #1 way?

Cognitive Development: Morality

Lawrence Kohlberg • How children develop a sense of right and wrong • He focused on moral reasoning (three levels)

1. Preconventional Moral Reasoning • Typically children under the age of 9 • Focuses on self-interest • Characterized by the desire to avoid punishment or gain reward

2. Conventional Moral Reasoning • By early adolescence and most adults • Primary concerns: – Fit in to society – Play role of a good citizen – Follow rules and laws – Caring for others

3. Postconventional Moral Reasoning • Characterized by references to universal ethical principles • Represent the rights or obligations of all people • Most adults do not reach this level

Social Development in Adolescence

Erik Erikson • Constructed an 8-stage theory of social development • Each stage has its own psychosocial task, a crisis that needs resolution

Trust vs. Mistrust

• First year of life • Meeting needs, learning to trust • Primary task for an infant

Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt

• Toddler (1-3) • Exercise free will and do things for themselves • Parents’ reactions influence child • Examples?

Initiative vs. Guilt

• Preschool (3-6) • Learn to initiate tasks and carry out plans • Over controlling parents can cause guilt

Competence vs. Inferiority

• Ages 6 to puberty • Learn how to function in social situations • Failure causes inferiority

Identity vs. Role Confusion

• Teens-20’s • Refining a sense of self by testing roles • Integrate them into a single identity • Primary task for adolescent • Questions they ask?

Social Development in Adolescence

Identity • A strong, consistent sense of who and what you are!

• Identity search includes the following characteristics: – Experimentation – Rebellion – “Self”-ishness – Optimism and energy

Intimacy • A close, sharing, emotional, and honest relationship with other people • To Erikson this is the primary task of early adulthood • Not necessarily one’s spouse or a sexual relationship

Independence • Begins in childhood and picks up speed in adolescence.

• Primary attachment: Parents to Peers • 97% get along fairly or very well with parents • “Family relationships” were the most important guiding principal in their lives

The End

Module 5: Adolescence

Three Key Developmental Issues

1. Continuity and Stages • How much of behavior is continuous and how much follows a more stage like development?

Types of Growth Patterns

2. Stability and Change • Which developmental traits remain stable over time, and which change?

3. Nature and Nurture • How much of our behavior is due to nature and how much is due to nurture?

• How do nature and nurture interact in development?