Adolescence & Adulthood Chapter 18 – Pages 406 - 431

1. Adolescence & Adulthood Chapter 18 – Pages 406 - 431 Emily Nicks

2. What is Adolescence? • A developmental period • Ages 12 to 18 • Many changes occur, going from childhood to adult-like: • Biological • Cognitive • Social • Personality traits

3. What is Puberty? • A developmental period • Ages 9 to 17 • Individual experiences significant biological changes • Development of secondary sexual characteristics • Reaching sexual maturity

4. Females during Puberty • Three major biological changes between ages 9 – 13: • Physical Growth – growth spurt 9.6 years, 6-12 months before the onset of breast development. • Female Sexual Maturity – primarily involves the first menstrual period (Menarche). • Female Secondary Sexual Characteristics – increased secretion of estrogen ≈ growth of pubic hair, breasts, and widening of hips.

5. Males during Puberty • Three major biological changes between ages 10 and 14: • Physical Growth– Growth spurts between 13-14 years. Height increase may be dramatic. • Male Sexual Maturity – primarily involves growth of the testes and penis, and the production of sperm. • Male Secondary Sexual Characteristics – increased secretion of testosterone ≈ growth of pubic/facial hair, muscle development, and deepening of voice.

6. Females Maturation Differences Early • Psychological problemsbecause they have not yet acquired the personality traits & social skills needed for healthy functioning in their adult bodies. ** Differences decrease and disappear with age.

7. Males Maturation Differences Early Late Lacking self-confidence and self-esteem, more dependent on parents, and less popular. • More confident, relaxed, socially responsible, popular, etc. ** Differences decrease and disappear with age.

8. Sexual Maturity • Adolescents often receive conflicting information about engaging in sexual activities – media, peers, family, religion… • BioPsychoSocial Approach … • Views adolescent development as a process that occurs simultaneously on many levels and includes hormonal, neural, sexual, cognitive, social, cultural, and personality changes that interact and influence each other • A lot is going on…

9. Sexual Maturity • Although puberty prepares the body for sexual activity – the majority of teenagers report not being emotionally, psychologically, or mentally prepared to deal with strong sexual desires and feelings.

10. Cognitive and Emotional Changes • Cognitive Development – how a person perceives, thinks, and gains an understanding of his/her world through the interaction and influence of genetic and learned factors.

11. Brain Development: Reason and Emotion • New research shows that the teenage brain is still developing, even after puberty. • Particularly the parts involved in clear thinking and reasoning. • Prefrontal Cortex: Executive Function • Limbic System: Emotional Behaviors

12. Vulnerability • Age 11 – Young adulthood • Major ‘rewiring’ and reorganization • Especially vulnerable to trauma • Bullying • Sexual Abuse • Feeling depressed • Abusing drugs • Alcohol (more damage than to adult brain)

13. Risk-Taking Behavior • Undeveloped brain = reasoning to irresponsible decisions • Prefrontal Cortex – They do not have the neural bases to analyze risks and make intelligent decisions. • Limbic System – Sex hormones cause the limbic system to grow. Increased size account for teenager’s irritability and increase in talking aggressively.

14. Kohlberg’s Theory of Moral Reasoning • Level 1 – Self-Interest • Preconventional level • Stage 1- Moral decisions are based on fear • Stage 2- Moral reasoning is guided most by satisfying one’s self-interest • Level 2 – Social Approval • Conventional Level • Stage 3 – Moral decisions are guided by conforming to the standards of others we value • Stage 4 – Moral reasoning is determined most by conforming to laws of society. • Level 3 – Abstract Ideas • Postconventional Level • Stage 5 – Moral decisions are made after carefully thinking about all the alternatives and striking a balance between human rights and lows of society. Heinz Dilemma

15. Evaluating Kohlberg’s Theory • Stages • Researchers reviewed 45 Kohlberg-like studies, conducted in 27 cultures • As kohlberg assumed – we go through each stage in order; but, not everyone reaches the highest stage.

16. Criticisms of Kohlberg • Stages do not investigate individuals in real life situations: they represent moral development of thinking, not behavior. • Kholberg’s theory was developed prior to information we now know about brain development through adolescents: it is the brain which changes, not the morality. • Personal moral issues use emotion and gut feeling, while external ones use only reasoning.

17. Parenting Through Adolescence • Authoritarian • Authoritative • Permissive

18. Authoritarian • Attempts to shape, control and evaluate attitudes of children, according to an absolute standard of conduct, usually religious or political. • For these parents – obedience is a virtue, and use punishment/discipline to keep adolescents in-line with their rules. • Parental rules have a major influence on teenage independence and achievement.

19. Authoritative • Children’s activities are usually directed in a rational and thoughtful manner. • Supportive, encouraging, and committed: encourages verbal give-and-take. • Rules and guidelines are discussed with children.

20. Permissive • Less controlling and behave in a non-punishing way. • Accepting attitude toward child’s impulses, desires and actions. • Usually they consult about policy decisions, make few demands and tend to use reason rather than power.

21. Outcomes of Parenting Authoritarian Authoritative Experience expressiveness and independence, but their parents tend to be demanding. Children are usually: Competent Achievement-oriented Friendly Co-operative • Tend to experience harsh punishments. • Boys often develop hostile tendencies. • Girls tend to be dependent and submissive.

22. Outcomes of Parenting Permissive • Lead to children being less socially assertive and less achievement-oriented.

23. Discussion: What are the benefits and drawbacks of each style?

24. Beyond Adolescence • 20s – executive abilities are sharp (brain’s prefrontal cortex is more fully developed). • Cognitive/Executive abilities remain sharp through the 30s. • 40s, 50s, 60s – gradual decline in some cognitive abilities (particularly memory). • There is a slowing in: processing speed, perceptual speed, and reaction time.

25. Beyond Adolescence

26. Personality & Social Development • How a person develops: • a sense of self or self-identity • relationships with others • the skills useful in social interactions • Personal identity or self-identity: • How we describe ourselves and includes our values, goals, traits, perceptions, interests, and motivations.

27. Development of Self-Esteem • Self-esteem – how much we like ourselves and how much we value our self-worth, importance, attractiveness, and social competence. • High Self-Esteem (develop and maintain) • 60% • Low Self-Esteem (develop and maintain) • 15% • Reversal (reverse level) • 25%

28. Development and Importance of Self-Esteem • Development => many factors • In girls, it is highly dependent on body image, and perception of parental support. • In boys, it is highly dependent on ‘looking cool’ in public (not allowing stress or anxiety to make them look bad).

29. Development and Importance of Self-Esteem • Self-esteem has been linked to positive and negative outcomes. • Let’s take a look at how self-esteem and personal identity develop through Erikson’s psychosocial stages.

30. Adulthood: Erikson’s Psychosocial Stages • Stage 5 – Identity vs. Role Confusion • Ages 12-20 years • Potential Conflict • Leaving behind carefree, irresponsible, impulsive childhood • Entering purposeful, planned, and responsible adulthood. • If they can make this change-over = confident sense of identity. • If they are unsuccessful = experience role confusion (low-self esteem, unstable, socially withdrawn).

31. Adulthood: Erikson’s Psychosocial Stages • Stage 6 – Intimacy vs. Isolation • Ages 20 – 40 years • Potential Conflict • Time for finding/developing loving/meaningful relationships. • Without intimacy it can leave someone feeling isolation => relationships will be impersonal.

32. Adulthood: Erikson’s Psychosocial Stages • Stage 7 – Generativity vs. Stagnation • Ages 40-65 years • Potential Conflict • A time for helping younger generation with developing worthwhile lives (children, friends/relatives kids, , mentoring at work, etc.). • A lack of involvement with younger generations can lead to a feeling of stagnation.

33. Adulthood: Erikson’s Psychosocial Stages • Stage 8 – Integrity vs. Despair • Ages 65 and older • Potential Conflict • A time for reflecting/reviewing how we met our challenges, and lived our lives. • Positive: Can look back and feel content. Feeling of satisfaction/integrity. • Negative: Can look back and see a series of crisis, problems, and bad experiences – regret/despair.

34. Personality Change • How much do our personalities change, and how much do they stay the same? • Some studies found: • End of Adolescence to middle adulthood there are less dramatic changes in personality traits. • Possessing certain personality traits in early adulthood is the foundation for developing related traits later on. • Adults appear to pass through psychosocial stages and face conflicts in personality development similar to those proposed by Erikson.

35. Love and Relationships • Passionate Love – continuously thinking about the loved one and is accompanied by warm sexual feelings and powerful emotional reactions. • Companionate love – having trusting and tender feelings for someone whose life is closely bound up with one’s own.

36. Triangular Theory of Love • 3 components: • 1. Passion – feeling physically aroused and attracted to someone. • 2. Intimacy – feeling close and connected to someone; develops through sharing and communicating. • 3. Commitment – making a pledge to nourish the feelings of love and to actively maintain the relationship.

37. Is there love at first sight? • Overwhelmed by passion without any intimacy or commitment. • Sternberg calls this infatuated love – destined to fade away.

38. Why do some people get married so quickly? • Sternberg calls this “Hollywood Love”. • Combination of passion and commitment but without any intimacy. If intimacy does not develop, the relationship is likely to fail.

39. Can there be love without sex? • Sternberg calls this “companiate love”. • Combination of intimacy and commitment without any sexual passion.

40. Why doesn’t romantic love last? • Combination of intimacy and passion, usually doesn’t last because there is no commitment.