1 Adolescence Module 9. 2 Adolescence Physical Development Cognitive Development Social Development Emerging Adulthood.

1

Adolescence

Module 9

2

Adolescence

Adolescence Physical Development

Cognitive Development

Social Development

Emerging Adulthood

3

Adolescence

Many psychologists once believed that our traits were set during childhood.

Today psychologists believe that

development is a lifelong process. A

P P

hoto

/ Jeff

Ch

iu

4

Adolescence Adolescence

the transition period from childhood to adulthood

extending from puberty to independence

Puberty the period of sexual maturation when a person becomes capable of

reproduction

5

Physical Development

Adolescence begins with puberty (sexual maturation). Puberty

occurs earlier in females (11 years) than males (13

years). Thus height in females increases

before males.

6

Primary Sexual Characteristics

During puberty primary sexual characteristics — the reproductive organs and external genitalia — develop rapidly.

Elle

n S

en

isi/ Th

e Im

ag

e W

ork

s

7

Secondary Sexual Characteristics

Also secondary sexual characteristics—the nonreproductive traits such as breasts and

hips in girls and facial hair and deepening of voice in boys develop. Pubic hair and armpit

hair grow in both sexes.

8

Brain Development

Until puberty, neurons increase their connections. However, at adolescence,

selective pruning of the neurons begins. Unused neuronal connections are lost to

make other pathways more efficient.

9

Frontal CortexDuring adolescence, neurons in the frontal cortex grow myelin, which speeds up nerve conduction. The frontal cortex lags behind the limbic system’s development.

Hormonal surges and the limbic system may explain occasional teen impulsiveness.

10

Cognitive Development

Adolescents’ ability to reason gives them a new level of social awareness. In particular,

they may think about the following:

1. Their own thinking.2. What others are thinking.3. What others are thinking about them.4. How ideals can be reached. They

criticize society, parents, and even themselves.

11

Developing Reasoning Power

According to Piaget, adolescents can handle abstract problems, i.e., they can perform formal operations. Adolescents can judge

good from evil, truth and justice, and think about God in deeper terms.

Willia

m T

hom

as C

ain

/ Getty Im

ag

es

AP

/Wid

e W

orld

Ph

oto

s

12

Developing Morality

Kohlberg (1981, 1984) sought to describe the development of moral reasoning by posing moral dilemmas to children and adolescents, such as “Should a person

steal medicine to save a loved one’s life?” He found stages of moral development.

AP

Ph

oto

/ Dave

Martin

13

3 Basic Levels of Moral Thinking

1. Preconventional Morality: Before age 9, children show morality to avoid punishment or gain reward.

2. Conventional Morality: By early adolescence, social rules and laws are upheld for their own sake.

3. Postconventional Morality: Affirms people’s agreed-upon rights or follows personally perceived ethical principles.

14

Moral Feeling

Moral feeling is more than moral thinking. When posed with simulated moral dilemmas, the brain’s emotional areas only light up when the nature of

the dilemmas is emotion-driven.

15

MoralityAs our thinking matures, so does our

behavior in that we become less selfish and more caring. People who engage in doing the right thing develop empathy for others and the self-discipline to resist their own

impulses.Moral Action

Moral action involves doing the right thing. People who engage in doing the right thing develop

empathy for others and the self-discipline to resist their own impulses.

16

Erikson’s Stages of Psychosocial Development

Approximateage Stage Description of Task

Infancy Trust vs. mistrust If needs are dependably met, infants(1st year) develop a sense of basic trust.

Toddler Autonomy vs. shame Toddlers learn to exercise will and (2nd year) and doubt do things for themselves, or they

doubt their abilities.

Preschooler Initiative vs. guilt Preschoolers learn to initiate tasks(3-5 years) and carry out plans, or they feel

guilty about efforts to be independent.

Elementary Competence vs. Children learn the pleasure of applying(6 years- inferiority themselves to tasks, or they feel puberty) inferior.

17

Erikson’s Stages of Psychosocial Development

Approximateage Stage Description of Task

Adolescence Identity vs. role Teenagers work at refining a sense of self by(teens into confusion testing roles and then integrating them to 20’s) form a single identity, or they become

confused about who they are.

Young Adult Intimacy vs. Young adults struggle to form close relation- (20’s to early isolation ships and to gain the capacity for intimate 40’s) love, or they feel socially isolated.

Middle Adult Generativity vs. The middle-aged discover a sense of contri-(40’s to 60’s) stagnation buting to the world, usually through family

and work, or they may feel a lack of purpose.

Late Adult Integrity vs. When reflecting on his or her life, the older(late 60’s and despair adult may feel a sense of satisfaction orup) failure.

18

Adolescence: Social Development

Identity one’s sense of self the adolescent’s task is to solidify a

sense of self by testing and integrating various roles

Intimacy the ability to form close, loving

relationships a primary developmental task in late

adolescence and early adulthood

19

Parent and Peer Influence

Although teens become independent of their parents as

they grow older, they nevertheless relate to

their parents on a number of things,

including religiosity and career choices. Peer approval and

relationships are also very important.

20

21

Emerging Adulthood

Emerging adulthood spans ages 18-25. During this time, young adults may live with their

parents and attend college or work. On average, emerging adults marry in their mid-twenties.

Arie

l Skelle

y/ Corb

is

22

EXPLORING PSYCHOLOGY(7th Edition in Modules)

David MyersAneeq Ahmad

Henderson State University, James A. McCubbin, Ph.D.

Clemson University, Amy Jones, Garber edits

Worth Publishers, © 2008