Psy 311: Adolescence ADOLESCENCE FORMAL OPERATIONS l 1. Formal operations: mental actions on ideas l 2. Can think logically & systematically about abstract.

Psy 311: Adolescence

ADOLESCENCEFORMAL OPERATIONS

1. Formal operations: mental actions on ideas

2. Can think logically & systematically about abstract & hypothetical objects, events, & situations


ADOLESCENCEFORMAL OPERATIONS (CONT)

3. Can contemplate possibilities rather than realities

4. Hypothetical-deductive reasoning: generate all possible hypotheses & systematically test predictions


DEVELOPMENT OF FORMAL OPERATIONS

begins with reasoning about alternatives then reasoning about possibilities starts in areas of interest


Limitations in Adolescent ReasoningLack of practical experience

“Nothing bad can happen to me” Driving too fast Drinking Drugs Sex Vandalism Delinquency


Potential Implications of Formal Operational Thought

Confusion because of new-found ability to question.

Rebellion because of ability to detect inconsistencies & flaws in the world.

Idealism because of the ability to imagine perfectly logical solutions to world problems that are difficult to implement in our imperfect real world.


Other potential changes

Adolescent egocentrism, or trouble distinguishing one’s own thoughts & feelings from those of others

Imaginery audience, or confusing one’s own thoughts with those of a hypothesized audience for your behavior


DEVELOPMENTAL TASKS IDENTITY Who am I?

What do I think? about values about priorities about religion about politics about our society about relationships about work


Identity Formation

GOAL– Authentic and genuine– Fit with social relationships and society– Satisfied


DEVELOPMENTAL PROCESS of

IDENTITY FORMATION

1. Crisis – Confusion – Search

2. Commitment – This is the real me, This is what I really

think


Influences on Identity Formation During Adolescence

1. Cognitive development Formal operational thought– Can imagine & consider possible future

identities


Influences on Identity Formation During Adolescence (Cont)

2. Relationships with parents – Warm, supportive– Coercive, domineering– Permissive– Neglectful


Influences on Identity Formation During Adolescence (Cont)

3. Social experiences outside the home– Exposure to diverse ideas & people– Encouragement to think independently


Influences on Identity Formation During Adolescence (cont.)

4. Broader social & historical context– Culture affects its development

• For example, whether or not developing a separate identity is even valued.


PARENTS & ADOLESCENTS

1. Adolescents depend on their parents– Myth: Adolescents are totally independent

2. Adolescents listen to their parents– Myth: Adolescents listen only to their peers

3. Adolescents love their parents– Myth: All adolescents rebel


Advice to Parents of Adolescents

Yes, you will have disagreements– About home responsibilities and

schoolwork– With girls more than boys– Girls: about emotional issues– Boys: about practical issues


WORK

Decisions about occupations


WORKDecisions about occupations

VOCATIONAL CHOICE: An effort to find an optimal fit between one’s self-concept or personality & occupational opportunities.– Questioning– Exploring– Experiencing– A wide range of possibilities


Process of vocational choice

1. FANTASY STAGE Wishes & whims Status Fun



2. TENTATIVE STAGE Interests Capacities Values



3. REALISTIC STAGE a. Realities of job market

Disadvantaged youth Minority youth Women



3. Realistic Stage b. Requirements of occupational qualification

Educational attainment Skills Credentials


Age-ism: Age Discrimination on the Job

1. Stereotypes: old, inflexible, unproductive

2. Discrimination: passed over for promotions, not hired, make less money

3. Research: as or more productive, innovative; more reliable, miss less work, stick with company longer


LAST NAME, first name

1. What is the big advance in formal operational thinking?

2. What is the big limitation in formal operational thinking?

3. What is the developmental task in identity formation?

4. What are the steps to vocational decision making?


END


Advice to Parents of Adolescents

1. Help them become responsible and trustworthy before adolescence.

2. Do not treat them like children. 3. Let them have as much responsibility

as they can handle.


Advice to Parents of Adolescents (cont.)

4. Say what you think and also listen to what they think.

5. Stand firm on rules.

Psy 311: Adolescence ADOLESCENCE FORMAL OPERATIONS l 1. Formal operations: mental actions on ideas l 2. Can think logically & systematically about abstract.

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