Development Through the Lifespan
Chapter 12
Emotional and Social
Development in
Adolescence
Erikson’s Theory:Identity vs. Identity Confusion
Identity
Defining who you are, what you value and direction in life.
Commitments to vocation, personal relationships, sexual orientation, ethnic group, ideals.
Resolution of “identity crisis”or exploration
Identity Confusion
Lack of direction and definition of self.
Restricted exploration in adolescence
Earlier psychosocial conflicts not resolved
Society restricts choices
Unprepared for stages of adulthood
Self-Understanding in Adolescence
Self-Concept
Unify separate traits into larger, abstract ones
May describe contradictory traits; social situations
Gradually combine traits into organized system
Self-Esteem
Continues to differentiate
Generally rises
Individual differences
Identity Statuses
Factors that AffectIdentity Development
Personality
Flexible, open-minded
Child-rearing practices
Authoritative, attached
Peers, friends
Schools
Communities
Larger context
Culture
Historical time period
Piaget’s Theory ofMoral Development
Heteronomous Morality
View rules as handed down by authorities, permanent, unchangeable, require strict obedience.
Judge wrongness by outcomes, not intentions
Autonomous Morality
Rules as socially-agreed on, changeable
Standard of ideal reciprocity
Judge on outcomes and intentions
Kohlberg’s Stages ofMoral Development
Sex Differences in Moral Reasoning?
Kohlberg: Rights and justice orientation
Gilligan: Caring for others orientation
Ethic of Care
Both sexes use both orientations, but females may stress care more
Greater experience as caregivers
Environmental Influences on Moral Reasoning
Child-Rearing Practices
Caring, supportive
Discuss moral concerns
Schooling
Peer Interactions
Culture
Gender Intensificationin Adolescence
Increased gender stereotyping of attitudes and behavior
Biological, social, cognitive factors
More in early adolescence, declines mid to late adolescence
Parent-Child Relationships in Adolescence
Autonomy
De-idealize parents
Shift from parents to selves and peers for guidance
Authoritative Parenting
Balances autonomy with monitoring as needed
Extra challenging during adolescence
Friendships in Adolescence
Fewer “best friends”
More intimacy, loyalty
Closeness, trust,
Self-disclosure - get to know friend’s personality
Friends are similar or get more similar
Identity status, aspirations, politics, deviant behavior
Gender differences
Girls –emotional closeness
Boys –activities, status
Self-Disclosure in Relationships
Benefits of Adolescent Friendships
Opportunities to explore self
Form deep understanding of another
Foundation for future intimate relationships
Help deal with life stress
Can improve attitude and school involvement
Cliques and Crowds
Clique
Small group –5–7
Good friends
Identified by interests, social status
“popular”and “unpopular”
Crowd
Larger –several cliques
Membership based on reputation, stereotype
Dating in Adolescence
Emerges from mixed-sex cliques
Cliques hang out
Several couples form and do things together
Individual couples
Changes throughout adolescence
Early: recreation, group activities, shallow intimacy
Gradually look for more intimacy
Too early dating related to legal, academic problems
Peer Conformity
Pressures to conform to:
Dress, grooming, social activities
Proadult behavior
Misconduct
Rises in early adolescence, but low overall
More conformity in early adolescence
Authoritative parenting helps resist pressures
Depression in Adolescence
Most common psychological problem of adolescence –15–20%
Twice as many girls as boys
Early-maturing girls
Factors influencing depression:
Genetics
Child-rearing practices
Learned helplessness
Adolescent Suicide
A leading cause of youth death
4-5 times as many boys as girls
Girls more attempts
Greatest risk: White males; African American males; gay, lesbian, bisexual
Highly intelligent & socially withdrawn, or antisocial youth at risk
Two Routes to Adolescent Delinquency
Early-Onset–behavior begins in middle childhood
Biological risk factors and child-rearing practices combine
Late-Onset–behavior begins around puberty
Peer influences