Psy 311: Adolescence
ADOLESCENCEFORMAL OPERATIONS
1. Formal operations: mental actions on ideas
2. Can think logically & systematically about abstract & hypothetical objects, events, & situations
Psy 311: Adolescence
ADOLESCENCEFORMAL OPERATIONS (CONT)
3. Can contemplate possibilities rather than realities
4. Hypothetical-deductive reasoning: generate all possible hypotheses & systematically test predictions
Psy 311: Adolescence
DEVELOPMENT OF FORMAL OPERATIONS
begins with reasoning about alternatives then reasoning about possibilities starts in areas of interest
Psy 311: Adolescence
Limitations in Adolescent ReasoningLack of practical experience
“Nothing bad can happen to me” Driving too fast Drinking Drugs Sex Vandalism Delinquency
Psy 311: Adolescence
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.
Psy 311: Adolescence
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
Psy 311: Adolescence
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
Psy 311: Adolescence
Identity Formation
GOAL– Authentic and genuine– Fit with social relationships and society– Satisfied
Psy 311: Adolescence
DEVELOPMENTAL PROCESS of
IDENTITY FORMATION
1. Crisis – Confusion – Search
2. Commitment – This is the real me, This is what I really
think
Psy 311: Adolescence
Influences on Identity Formation During Adolescence
1. Cognitive development Formal operational thought– Can imagine & consider possible future
identities
Psy 311: Adolescence
Influences on Identity Formation During Adolescence (Cont)
2. Relationships with parents – Warm, supportive– Coercive, domineering– Permissive– Neglectful
Psy 311: Adolescence
Influences on Identity Formation During Adolescence (Cont)
3. Social experiences outside the home– Exposure to diverse ideas & people– Encouragement to think independently
Psy 311: Adolescence
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.
Psy 311: Adolescence
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
Psy 311: Adolescence
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
Psy 311: Adolescence
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
Psy 311: Adolescence
Process of vocational choice
3. REALISTIC STAGE a. Realities of job market
Disadvantaged youth Minority youth Women
Psy 311: Adolescence
Process of vocational choice
3. Realistic Stage b. Requirements of occupational qualification
Educational attainment Skills Credentials
Psy 311: Adolescence
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
Psy 311: Adolescence
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?
Psy 311: Adolescence
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.