Transcript Adolescent Behavior and Development

Adolescent Behavior and
Development
In-Service Training
Adolescence
Physical Maturation
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Secondary sex characteristics are the physical characteristics other than genital, that
indicate sexual maturity, such as body hair, breasts, and deepened voice
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Adaptation at puberty requires an integration of biological, psychological, and social
changes
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The degree to which one’s body matches the desired or socially valued body build of
the culture influences social acceptance by peers and adults
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Adolescence
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Physical Maturation: Physical Changes in Girls
& Boys
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Concerns about Obesity – the greatest concern
adolescent girls express about their bodies is the
perception they are too fat, which may result in peer
rejection
Reactions to Breast Development and Menarche
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The development of breast buds is a welcome sign for most
girls but menarche is associated with a mix of positive and
negative feelings
Menarche – the beginning of regular menstrual periods
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Adolescence
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Physical Maturation: Physical Changes in Girls
& Boys (cont.)
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Although most girls are prepared by their mothers for
menstruation, the topic is often handled as a matter of
hygiene rather than as a sexual transition, and therefore
many girls do not understand the relationship of
menstruation to reproduction
Boys generally welcome the changes, involving
increase height and muscle mass, that bring them one
step closer to adult maturity
Boys are generally not well prepared by their parents
with information on the maturation of their
reproductive organs
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Adolescence
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Physical Maturation: The Secular Trend &
Individual Differences in Maturation Rate
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A secular growth trend is a decrease over time in the
average age at which physical maturation takes place
Changes in hygiene, nutrition, and health care have
contributed to an earlier growth spurt over the past
century
The age at onset of puberty and the rate of change in
physical maturation vary
Early and late maturing have psychological and
social consequences for both boys and girl
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Adolescence
Egocentrism & Decentering
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Egocentrism is the perception of one-self at
the center of the world; the view that others
base their behavior on or events occur as a
result of one’s own perceptions
Decentering is gaining some objectivity over
one’s own point of view, reducing the
dominance of one’s subjective perspective in
the interpretation of events
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Adolescence
Egocentrism
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2 Characteristics of Egocentrism that may affect
adolescents; social interactions as well as their
problem solving are:
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Preoccupation with their own thoughts
Belief that others are also preoccupied with their thoughts
Personal Fable - an intense investment in one’s own
thoughts and feelings, and a belief that these thoughts
are unique
Imaginary Audience – adolescents assume that they
are the center of interest in others’ thoughts and
attentions
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Adolescence
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Emotional Development
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Descriptions of adolescence often refer to new levels
of emotional variability, moodiness, and emotional
outbursts
Some researchers have questioned whether
adolescence really brings the peaks and valleys of
emotional intensity that are stereotypically linked to
this time of life
Given the likelihood of a more differentiated range of
emotions during adolescence, a major task during
this time is to gain a tolerance of one’s emotionality
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Adolescence
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Emotional Development: Eating Disorders
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Eating disorders are an example of internalizing
problems, turning one’s frustration, anger, or fear
inward on the self
Anorexia is characterized by a fear of gaining weight,
refusal to maintain a minimally normal body weight,
and perceptions of one’s body as overweight in
general or in specific area
Bulimia involves spurts of binging and overeating
followed by the use of different strategies to prevent
the absorption of food, such as induced vomiting, the
use of laxatives, or strenuous exercise
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Adolescence
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Emotional Development: Eating Disorders (cont.)
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Origins of eating disorders are not fully understood:
A preoccupation with body appearance may be
provoked by the relatively rapid physical changes
associated with puberty
Because of the seriousness and widespread nature of
eating disorders, public health experts are working to
create a more positive acceptance of people of
various body types and shapes, with less focus on
thinness
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Adolescence
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Emotional Development: Depression
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Depression is a state of feeling sad, often
accompanied by feelings of low personal worth and
withdrawal from relationships with others
Depressed mood refers to feelings of sadness, a loss
of hope, a sense of being overwhelmed by the
demands of the world, and general unhappiness
Depressive syndrome refers to a constellation of
behaviors and emotions that occur together. The
syndrome usually includes complaints about feeling
depressed, anxious, fearful, worried, guilty, and
worthless
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Adolescence
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Emotional Development: Depression (cont.)
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Major Depressive disorder is characterized by a
person who has experience 5 or more symptoms for
at least two weeks: depressed mood or irritable
mood most of the day; decreased interest in
pleasurable activities; changes in weight or perhaps
failure to make necessary weight gains in
adolescence; sleep problems; psychomotor agitation
or retardation; fatigue or loss of energy, feeling of
worthlessness or abnormal amounts of guilt; reduced
concentration and decision-making ability; and
repeated suicidal ideation, attempts , or plans of
suicide
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Adolescence
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Emotional Development: Factors Associated
with Adolescent Depression & Gender
Differences in Depression
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Adolescents face a number of challenges that make
them vulnerable to depression
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Parental loss or rejection has been found to increase an
adolescent’s vulnerability to depression
Researchers recognize that adolescents are often exposed to
more negative events and hassles than are younger children:
social alienation, excessive demands, romantic concerns,
decisions about one’s personal future, loneliness and
unpopularity, assorted annoyances and concerns, social
mistreatment, and academic challenges
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Adolescence
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Emotional Development: Factors Associated
with Adolescent Depression & Gender
Differences in Depression (cont.)
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Adolescents are relatively inexperienced in coping with
these kind of stressors
Most studies find no differences in depression
between prepubescent boys and girls; however,
during the period from about age 11 to 15, gender
differences are systematically noted and continue to
be evident into adulthood, with depression more
common in females than in males
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Adolescence
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Membership in the Peer Group: Cliques and
Crowds & Peer Group Boundaries and Norms
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Before the adolescent period, it is important to have
friends, but not as important to be a member of a
definable group
Cliques are small friendship groups of 5 to 10 friends, and
these groups provide the framework for frequent
interactions both within school and in the neighborhood
A crowd refers to a large group that is usually recognized
by a few predominant characteristics such as their
orientation toward academics, involvement in athletics,
use of drugs, or involvement in deviant behavior
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Adolescence
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Membership in the Peer Group: Cliques and
Crowds & Peer Group Boundaries and Norms
(cont.)
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Popularity and acceptance into a peer group at the
high school may be based on one or more of the
following characteristics: good looks, athletic ability,
social class, academic performance, future goals,
affiliation with a religious, racial, or ethnic group,
special talents, involvement with drugs or deviant
behavior, general alienation from school
Membership in cliques is relatively stable, but always
vulnerable to change
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Adolescence
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Membership in the Peer Group: Cliques and
Crowds & Peer Group Boundaries and Norms
(cont.)
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Important skills that are learned by becoming a
member of a peer group are the assessment of group
structure and the selection of the particular group or
groups with which one would like to affiliate
Membership in an adolescent peer group is a
forerunner of membership in an adult social group
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Adolescence
Sexual Relationships
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The Transition into Sexualized Relationships
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Most young people are involved in a variety of
romantic relationships during adolescence, including
dating, feeling of tenderness and love, and deepening
commitments
Dating Relationships provide the initial context for
most sexual activity.
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Adolescence
Sexual Relationships
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First Intercourse or the transition into sexual
activity may take place in very different
contexts for adolescents
Usually the earlier the transition into sexual
activity and intercourse the more likely the
act is to be part of a profile of high-risk
behaviors, including alcohol use, drug use,
and delinquent activity
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Adolescence
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Sexual Relationships: Sexual Orientation
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One might assume that sexual orientation –
heterosexual, homosexual, or bisexual – begins to
take shape in early adolescence; the research on this
point suggests an earlier and more differentiated path
For sexual – minority youth, two aspects of a sexual
orientation have been identified:
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Self-labeling – applying a label such as gay, lesbian, or
bisexual to one-self
Disclosure – sharing this information with others
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Adolescence
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Sexual Relationships: Problems and Conflicts
Associated with Sexuality
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The sexual system is one of the most problematic
components of psychosocial development for young
people in the United States
Most parents do not feel comfortable discussing
sexuality with their children.
Sexually Transmitted Disease
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About 25% of sexually active teens contract a sexually
transmitted disease each year.
Teens are especially at risk for Chlamydia, genital herpes,
and gonorrhea
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Adolescence
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Sexual Relationships: Problems and Conflicts
Associated with Sexuality (cont.)
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Unwanted Sexual Attention
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Often teen do not find the emotional closeness and
understanding they may seek in a sexually intimate
relationship
Many instances of unwanted sexual contact occur on the first
date or in a dating relationship
The lack of supervision and monitoring by adults as well as
the lack of opportunity to talk about sexuality with them can
place adolescents at risk for early sexual experiences that are
abusive or associated with negative feelings
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Adolescence
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Sexual Relationships: Problems and Conflicts
Associated with Sexuality (cont.)
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Contraception
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In spite of the fact that many parents and teachers do not
provide information about the use of contraceptives as part
of their education about sex and sexual behavior, the use of
contraceptives by U.S. teens has increased
The use of contraceptives is associated with religious beliefs,
family attitudes and behaviors, and peer norms
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Adolescence
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Sexual Relationships: Parenthood in Early
Adolescence
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Consequences of Teenage Pregnancy
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Poverty
Increased Risk of Child Abuse
Increase risk of birth complications associated with lack of
prenatal care
Adolescent Fathers
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Although the focus on adolescent pregnancy has been on
girls, there is growing concern about adolescent fathers.
While most fathers of babies born to teen mothers are within
2 years of the mother’s age, about 20% are 5 or more years
older than the mother
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Adolescence
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Sexual Relationships: Parenthood in Early
Adolescence (cont.)
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Most studies of adolescent pregnancy find that, contrary to
the stereotype, many fathers remain in contact with the
mother and child in the first months after the child is born
However, by the time the children are in school, contact
drops off
Fathering a child is bound to stimulate conflicting feelings of
pride, guilt, and anxiety in the adolescent boy
Little systematic research has been done on the attitudes,
knowledge, or behaviors of adolescent fathers or the impact
of fatherhood on a teenage boy’s subsequent development
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Adolescence
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The Psychosocial Crisis: Group Identity Versus
Alienation
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Group Identity – the positive pole of the psychosocial
crises of early adolescence in which the person finds
membership in and value convergence with a peer group.
Cognitive Processes that Support the Formation of Group
Identity
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Group Representations
Group Operations
Reflective Thinking about Groups
Four Dimensions of Group Identity
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Categorizing People and Recognizing Distinguishing
Features of Group Members
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Adolescence
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The Psychosocial Crisis: Group Identity Versus
Alienation (cont.)
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Experiencing a Sense of History as a Member of a Group
Emotional Investment in the Group
Social Evaluation of One’s Group and its Relation to Other
Groups
Alienation – withdrawal or separation of people or their
affections from an object or position of former attachment
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The Contribution of Alienation to Group Identity and
Individual Identity is important
A period of feeling alone and lonely may help teens
appreciate how good social acceptance feels and how
important it is for their well being.
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Adolescence
The Psychosocial Crisis:
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The assessment of the importance of certain
content areas in relation to others influences the
use of resources, the direction of certain
decisions, and the kinds of experiences that may
be perceived as most personally rewarding or
threatening
Both the content and evaluation components of
identity may change over the life course
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Adolescence
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The Central Process: Peer Pressure
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Peer pressure refers to the demand for conformity to
group norms and a demonstration of commitment and
loyalty to group members
Peer pressure is often used with a negative
connotation, suggesting that young people behave in
ways that go against their beliefs or values because of
a fear of peer rejection
However peer pressure can have an alternative
meaning, one that highlights the emerging role of the
peer group in the radius of significant others
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Adolescence
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The Central Process: Peer Pressure (cont.)
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Affiliating with a Peer Group – provides the context within
which the crises of group identity versus alienation is
resolved
Peer Pressure in Specific Areas – time spent with peers,
school, and family; academic achievement; drug use;
engaging in misconduct; sexual activity; religious
participation; community service; or preference in dress,
music, or entertainment
Conflicts Between Belonging and Personal Autonomy – peer
groups do not command total conformity; most depend on
the unique characteristics of their members to lend definition
and vigor to the roles that emerge within them
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Adolescence
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The Central Process: Peer Pressure (cont.)
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Ethnic Group Identity – knowing that one is a
member of a certain ethnic group; recognizing that
aspects of one’s thoughts, feelings, and actions are
influenced by ethnic membership; and taking the
ethnic-group values, outlook, and the goals into
account when making life choices
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Adolescence
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Adolescent Alcohol and Drug Use
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Factors Associated with Alcohol Use
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Physical Effects of Alcohol – death may result from
chugging, when combined with other drugs, and when
driving under the influence
Assessment of Risk – adolescents do not view alcohol
drinking as risky and may use it as sensation seeking
behavior
Reference Groups – the two reference groups that influence
the acceptability of drinking and the manner in which
alcohol is consumed are the family and the peer group
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Adolescence
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Adolescent Alcohol and Drug Use (cont.)
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Early Entry into Alcohol and Drug Use –
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Children who perceived that many of their friends had been
drinking and who experienced peer pressure to drink were
more likely to drink
Children who were in classrooms where a larger number of
children reported drinking were also at greatest risk of
drinking.
Perceptions of the amount of drinking that occurred in the
family were also an important predictor of early alcohol use
Binge Drinking
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Adolescence
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Autonomy from Parents: Autonomy
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Achieving a psychological sense of autonomy from
one’s parents must be understood as a
multidimensional task that is accomplished gradually
over the course of later adolescence and early
adulthood
Autonomy is an ability regulate one’s own behavior
with undue control from or dependence on one’s
parents
Autonomy requires independence of thoughts,
emotions, and actions
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Adolescence
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Autonomy from Parents: Autonomy (cont.)
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Beyond these physical requirements, autonomy
involves a psychological sense of confidence about
one’s unique point of view and an ability to express
opinions and beliefs that may differ from those of
one’s parents.
Differentiation, the family-system concept, has been
associated with psychosocial maturity and a healthy
emergence of individuality in adolescence
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Adolescence
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Autonomy from Parents: Leaving Home, the
College Experience, and Self Sufficiency
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Living away form one’s parent’s household may be a symbol of
independence; however, it is not as readily achievable in the age
range of 18 to 24 as it was in the past
Parents and adolescent children have different views about the
age at which children are expected to leave home
Economic factors and social norms play a significant role in the
timing of leaving home
Going away to college is a transition between parent’s home and
living on your own
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Adolescence
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Autonomy from Parents:
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College freshmen express a variety of attitudes that suggest
different views about their desire to be independent from their
family
Revision of Attachment with Parents is revisited when entering
college
For students who live on campus, preoccupation with thoughts
and concerns about their parents tends to diminish over the
course of the first semester, while new relationships form and a
new confidence in their independent decision making builds
Making independent decisions, taking responsibility for one’s
actions, and achieving some degree of financial independence is
part of establishing a sense of self-sufficiency
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Adolescence
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Gender Identity: The Role of Culture
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Acquisition of a set of beliefs, attitudes, and values about
oneself as a man or a woman in many areas of social life,
including intimate relationship, family, work, community, and
religion
All cultures construct gender-differentiated roles, and people
expect one another to behave in certain ways because they are
male or female
Others argue that men and women should be considered equal,
but that they should be treated in ways that take into account
differences in their needs and capacities
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Adolescence
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Gender Identity: Reevaluating Gender
Constancy & Reevaluating Old Sex-Role
Standards and Learning New Ones
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Later adolescents can appreciate that the use of gender labels is
a social convention and that, apart form the genital basis of this
label, there are wide individual differences within gender groups
in most traits and abilities
As later adolescents learn about cultural, institutional,
interpersonal, and individual level gender-role expectations,
they must integrate and synthesize them with their assessments
of their personal needs and goals
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Adolescence
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Gender Identity: Revising One’s Childhood
Identifications, Adding a Sexual Dimension to
Gender Identity and Finalizing Gender-Role
Preference
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The component of parental identifications that contributes to
gender identity is also reviewed and revised in later adolescence
During this time, young people begin to encounter a wide range
of possible targets for identification
In addition to revisions in parental identifications, later
adolescents add a sexual dimension to their gender identity that
did not play much of a role in their child gender-role
identifications
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Adolescence
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Gender Identity:
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Notions of physical attractiveness become more
salient during this time
Maturation of the hormonal system, which influences
emotional arousal as well as sexual urges, contributes
to the development of one’s gender identity
If later adolescents become aware that their gender
prevents them from having access to resources,
influence, and decision-making authority, they are
likely to experience a decline in their gender-role
preference
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Adolescence
Internalized Morality
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New Cognitive Capacities & Experiences that
Promote Moral Reasoning
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Later adolescents explore the distinction between social
conventions and moral issues
Later adolescents bring new cognitive capacities to the arena of
moral decision making
Later adolescents are able to consider the multiple perspectives
that are possible in a moral situation
They are increasingly aware of the rights and needs of others,
and they are able to step outside the situation in order to
examine how an action may satisfy their own needs but harm
others
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Adolescence
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Internalized Morality:
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Through participation in thought-provoking
discussions or challenging life experiences,
moral reasoning can advance to the next
higher level
Exposure to a diversity of information,
relationships, and worldviews stimulates
moral reasoning
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Adolescence
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Internalized Morality:
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Kohlberg’s View
Gilligan”s View
Eisenberg’s Model
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Adolescence
Psychosocial Crisis
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Individual Identity Versus Identity Confusion
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The Content Component of Identity
The private self is a sense of self, which refers to
one’s uniqueness and unity, a subjective experience
of being self-reflective
The public self includes the many roles one plays and
the expectations of others
The Evaluation Component of Identity
The significance one places on various aspects of the
identity content
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Adolescence
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The Psychosocial Crisis: Identity Formation for
Males and Females
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Questions have been raised about the process of
identity formation and its outcome for young men
and women in our society
Some investigators have argued that the concept of
identity as It has been formulated is a reflection of a
male-oriented culture that focuses heavily on
occupation and ideology rather than on interpersonal
commitments
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Adolescence
Psychosocial Crisis
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Men and women appear to handle the process
of role experimentation and identity
achievement somewhat differently
Other researchers point out that Erikson’s
construct of personal identity is embedded in
relational context
Other evidence of gender differences has
been found in the content of the identity
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Adolescent Behavior and
Development
In-Service Training
This training presentation is available for download at:
www.utahparenting.org
© 2007 Utah Youth Village.