Adolescence

• What is adolescence?• The search of Identity.• Physiological changes.• The self esteem.

Adolescence is a transitional stage that occurs between childhood and adulthood. At this stage,

certain changes are dealt including biological, cognitive, social, and emotional transitions.

Adolescence is divided into three stages ofadult development:• Early adolescence (ages 12 to 14), • Mid-adolescence (ages 15 to 16), and • Late adolescence (ages 17 to 21).

The search of identity• Erikson and Marica• From childhood to adolescence :1. Adolescents came to face different challenges2. Start to ask the questions “ who I am?”3. The search of 'ego identity' or 'self-definition.'• From adolescence to adulthood :1. Start to question much serious questions such

"What am I going to do with my life?" 2. These are years of transition and

development

According to Douvan and Adelson:

"Identity does not begin in adolescence. The child has been formulating and reformulating identities throughout his life.... At adolescence, however, the commitment to an identity becomes critical. During this period, the youngster must synthesize earlier identifications with personal qualities and relate them to social opportunities and the social ideals. Who the child is to be is influenced by what the environment permits and encourages." (1966, p14)

The physiological changes

•Hormone changes•Teenage crush

The Self esteem

According to Jessica Borg in her dissertation “Adolescent’s self-esteem and effecting

factors”, speaks about:• Self concept and self esteem• Appearance1. Negative feeling 2. Positive feelings3. Satisfaction

The Effects on self EsteemMoreover, Jessica Borg discusses the factors that effect self esteem including:•Academic Achievement,•Family and Parents,•Friends and peers, and•People in the society.

Reference List•Adams, G., & Berzonsky, M. (2006). Blackwell handbook of adolescence. Malden MA: Blackwell Publishing Ltd•Borg, J., (2008) Adolescent’s self-esteem and effecting factors. (B.psych. Dissertation) University of Malta. •Cave, B. (n.d.). The search for identity: The teenage struggle. Retrieved April 13, 2011, from http://www.family-university.org/•Douvan, E., & Adelson, J. (1966). The Adolescent Experiment. New York: John Wiley and Sons. (p.14).•Weiten, W. ( 2010). Psychology: Themes and variations (8th ed.). Belmont CA: Wadswort Cengage Learning.