1 Adolescence Module 9 Slide 2 2 Adolescence Physical
Development Cognitive Development Social Development Emerging
Adulthood Slide 3 3 Adolescence Many psychologists once believed
that our traits were set during childhood. Today psychologists
believe that development is a lifelong process. AP Photo/ Jeff Chiu
Slide 4 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 Slide 5 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. Slide 6 6 Primary Sexual Characteristics
During puberty primary sexual characteristics the reproductive
organs and external genitalia develop rapidly. Ellen Senisi/ The
Image Works Slide 7 7 Secondary Sexual Characteristics Also
secondary sexual characteristicsthe 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. Slide
8 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. Slide 9 9 Frontal Cortex During
adolescence, neurons in the frontal cortex grow myelin, which
speeds up nerve conduction. The frontal cortex lags behind the
limbic systems development. Hormonal surges and the limbic system
may explain occasional teen impulsiveness. Slide 10 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. Slide 11 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. William Thomas Cain/ Getty Images
AP/Wide World Photos Slide 12 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 ones life? He found
stages of moral development. AP Photo/ Dave Martin Slide 13 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 peoples agreed-upon rights or follows personally perceived
ethical principles. Slide 14 14 Moral Feeling Moral feeling is more
than moral thinking. When posed with simulated moral dilemmas, the
brains emotional areas only light up when the nature of the
dilemmas is emotion-driven. Slide 15 15 Morality As 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. Slide
16 16 Eriksons Stages of Psychosocial Development Approximate
ageStage Description of Task InfancyTrust vs. mistrust If needs are
dependably met, infants (1st year) develop a sense of basic trust.
ToddlerAutonomy vs. shame Toddlers learn to exercise will and (2nd
year)and doubt do things for themselves, or they doubt their
abilities. PreschoolerInitiative vs. guilt Preschoolers learn to
initiate tasks (3-5 years) and carry out plans, or they feel guilty
about efforts to be independent. ElementaryCompetence vs. Children
learn the pleasure of applying (6 years-inferiority themselves to
tasks, or they feel puberty) inferior. Slide 17 17 Eriksons Stages
of Psychosocial Development Approximate age StageDescription of
Task Adolescence Identity vs. roleTeenagers work at refining a
sense of self by (teens into confusiontesting roles and then
integrating them to 20s)form a single identity, or they become
confused about who they are. Young Adult Intimacy vs.Young adults
struggle to form close relation- (20s to early isolation ships and
to gain the capacity for intimate 40s) love, or they feel socially
isolated. Middle Adult Generativity vs. The middle-aged discover a
sense of contri- (40s to 60s) 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 60s and despairadult may feel a sense of
satisfaction or up) failure. Slide 18 18 Adolescence: Social
Development Identity ones sense of self the adolescents 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 Slide 19
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.
Slide 20 20 Slide 21 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. Ariel Skelley/ Corbis Slide 22 22
EXPLORING PSYCHOLOGY (7th Edition in Modules) David Myers Aneeq
Ahmad Henderson State University, James A. McCubbin, Ph.D. Clemson
University, Amy Jones, Garber edits Worth Publishers, 2008
