Chapter 11 Adolescence 1 Physical Development Modern society

Chapter 11 Adolescence

1. Physical Development Modern society requires more time/maturation before placing young people in adult roles n Early – 11 -14 n Middle – 15 -18 n Late – 18 -21 n Adolescents develop physical/mentally/emotionally at different rates n

Adolescent Growth Spurt Lasts two to three years n Grow 8 -12 inches on average n Girls tend to grow earlier in adolescence n Boys catch up in mid-adolescence and pass girls n Growth spurts can be awkward, body parts can grow disproportionate to rest of body n Ex. Rick n

Sexual Development Puberty – developmental changes that lead to ability to reproduce n Primary sex characteristics – directly involved in reproduction n Secondary sex characteristics – not directly involved in reproduction n Ex: hair growth, deepening voice n Changes linked to new hormone levels n

Changes in Males Pituitary gland causes increase in testosterone n Creates male physical characteristics n

Changes in Females Pituitary gland causes increase in estrogen n Creates female physical characteristics, menstruation n

Differences in Maturation Rates Boys who mature earlier have some advantages, sports, popularity, self-esteem n Early physical development does not necessarily reflect emotional/cognitive maturity n Early maturation in females can be more difficult, height and size can be uncomfortable n

2. Social Development Can be a time of stress, conflict, identity confusion n Adolescence both a physical and psychological concept n Psychological adolescence ends when individual put in role of adult responsibility n

Relationships with Parents n n n Conflict during adolescence with parents exists, but is often exaggerated Conflicts often derive from adolescent drive for increased independence, autonomous choice Older adolescence tend to spend more time outside the home, not with parents Most parents/adolescents share values, beliefs (religious, political, social) Most adolescents interact more with mother than father, more likely to be close to mother

Relationships with Peers Become more important during adolescence n By 7 th grade, peers become primary source of support for social/emotional issues n

Adolescent Friendships Friends provide support and understanding during difficult time of transition n provide self-esteem n Closest friends typically similar in age, attitudes, interests, tend to be same sex n

Cliques/Crowds Cliques – peer groups of 5 -10 people, spend great deal of time together n Adolescents join to find identity, stability, sense of belonging n Crowds – larger groups, do not spend great deal of time together but share attitudes, group identity n

Peer Influences Peers actually more likely to encourage positive behaviors (good grades, enroll in college) than negative ones (drugs, etc. ) n Adolescents dress, speech most influenced by peers, but… n Values, morals, most influenced by parents n Peer pressure peaks around age 15, dissipates around 17, could be due to growth in identity, self-esteem, individualism n

Dating n 1. 2. 3. Happens in stages Join events where interaction with opposite sex will happen Group dating Paired dating

3. Identity Formation Erikson – primary task of adolescence is forming identity n learning what one stands for, who they are, what they believe, what their goals are, etc. n

Identity Development Erikson – establishing identity accomplished mainly by choosing commitment to a particular role or occupation n Adolescents may experiment with different values, beliefs, roles (selves) n “You don’t have to keep this one!” n Identity Crisis – turning point, one examines his/her values, makes or changes a decision about life role n

Identity Status Marcia, found four categories of adolescent identity status, or reaction patterns and processes n Move in and out of categories n Four categories are Identity moratorium, foreclosure, diffusion and achievement n

Identity Statuses n n n Identity Moratorium - Teens who delay making decisions about important questions Explore different alternatives, identities Identity Foreclosure - Make commitments which close out other identities, based on others suggestions, not their own choices Identity Diffusion – constantly searching for meaning and identity, have not committed to one Identity Achievement – have explored alternatives and made own choice about identity, course of life, future goals

Gender and Identity Formation Erikson’s view of identity formation (career oriented) historically applied primarily to boys n Today, more female adolescents likely to fit this view, due to change in gender roles, more women focusing on careers n Female adolescents voice more concern over balancing work and family n

Ethnicity and Identity Formation I. F. often more complicated for minority groups n May be faced with conflicting cultural values n May face discrimination n

4. Challenges of Adolescence Stress can lead to: n Eating disorders n Drug, alcohol abuse n Suicide n

Anorexia Nervosa n n n n Self-starvation Majority female Weigh less than 85% of healthy weight Girls need 2200 calories, boys 3000 per day Most young, white, upper class Often have distorted body image, see fat that is not there May obsess about food, prepare it, give it away to others

Bulimia Nervosa Binge eating followed by vomiting, other methods of food elimination n Majority female n

Origins of Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa n n n Often women Attempt to attain ideal body image Feminine ideal growing thinner (models of 50 s vs. today) Parents of eating disorder sufferers more likely to have problems with eating, think daughters should lose weight, view daughters as unattractive Runs in families. Possible causes include perfectionist personality.

Substance Abuse Experimentation often begins in adolescence n Causes: rebellion, curiosity, peer pressure, excitement seeking, etc. n Serious health dangers n Cigarettes, dopamine, feelings of happiness n

Sexuality Hormonal changes during adolescence n Media, belief from teens that peers are more sexually active than reality n 10% of girls 15 -19 become pregnant annually n Cognitive development, realization of consequences, how life changes limited n Factors (teen pregnancy): poor relationships w/ parents, lack of goals, emotional issues, peer pressure, lack of knowledge about reproduction) n

Juvenile Delinquency Illegal activities committed by children or adolescents n Low income not a factor n 25 -30% of serious crimes in US committed by someone under 18 n Factors: low self-esteem, parental issues, lack of education/goals, peer pressure, relatives convicted of criminal behavior, etc. n