Transcript AP Psych Chpt 11 Sct 3

ADOLESCENCE
YOU’RE NOT ADULTS YET. YOU NEED
ECONOMIC AND EMOTIONAL INDEPENDENCE
FOR THAT!
PUBESCENCE
 Adolescent Growth Spurt: around age 11; rapid
change in height and weight
 Actually takes place preadolescence
 Pubescence: 2 yr span preceding puberty; changes
leading to physical and sexual maturity
PUBESCENCE TO PUBERTY
 Secondary sex characteristics: physical features that
distinguish one sex from the other; not necessary for
reproduction
 Capacity to reproduce begins with puberty
PUBERTY
 DEF: the stage during which sexual functions reach
maturity; marks the beginning of adolescence
 Primary sex characteristics: structures necessary for
reproduction
FEMALE/MALE PUBERTY
FEMALE
MALE
 Onset marked by
 Sperm production
Menarche---1st
menstruation
 Around 12 ½ yrs old
 Continues until c. 16
yrs
begins c. 14 yrs old
(Spermarche)
 Complete maturation c.
18 yrs. old
EFFECTS OF EARLY or LATE MATURATION
 Girls who mature unusually early have greater risk of
psychological and social difficulties
 Same for boys who mature unusually late
TURMOIL?
 G. Stanley Hall: adolescence is characterized by
instability
 Searching for a self-image
 Not all adolescence is turmoil
 Subjective
TEENAGE SUICIDE
 Suicide rates among teens lower than other age
groups
 Attempted more than completed
 More teens attempt than complete
SEARCH FOR IDENTITY
 5th stage of Erikson: identity vs. confusion
 A struggle to a concept of unique individuality
 Embracing ideology that provides direction
 Lifelong process
 Intense in adolescence
MARCIA’S IDENTITY STATUS
 James Marcia
 Presence or absence of crisis and commitment
combine in various ways
 Varying combinations produce 4 different identity
statuses
FORECLOSURE
 Premature commitment to values and roles
 Allows individuals to circumvent the struggle for
identity
 Usually backfires
MORATORIUM
 Delaying commitment
 Experiment alternative ideologies and careers
 Not harmful if temporary
IDENTITY DIFFUSION
 State of apathy
 Refusal to commit
 Compete absence of struggle for identity
 Possible lead to personality disorders
IDENTITY ACHIEVEMENT
 Carefully arriving at a sense of self
 Conviction in commitments
 Flexible
 Higher self-esteem and security