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Adolescence
Module 9
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Adolescence
Adolescence Physical Development
Cognitive Development
Social Development
Emerging Adulthood
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Adolescence
Many psychologists once believed that our traits were set during childhood.
Today psychologists believe that
development is a lifelong process. A
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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
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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.
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Primary Sexual Characteristics
During puberty primary sexual characteristics — the reproductive organs and external genitalia — develop rapidly.
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Secondary Sexual Characteristics
Also secondary sexual characteristics—the 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.
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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.
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Frontal CortexDuring adolescence, neurons in the frontal cortex grow myelin, which speeds up nerve conduction. The frontal cortex lags behind the limbic system’s development.
Hormonal surges and the limbic system may explain occasional teen impulsiveness.
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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.
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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.
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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 one’s life?” He found stages of moral development.
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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 people’s agreed-upon rights or follows personally perceived ethical principles.
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Moral Feeling
Moral feeling is more than moral thinking. When posed with simulated moral dilemmas, the brain’s emotional areas only light up when the nature of
the dilemmas is emotion-driven.
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MoralityAs 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.
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Erikson’s Stages of Psychosocial Development
Approximateage Stage Description of Task
Infancy Trust vs. mistrust If needs are dependably met, infants(1st year) develop a sense of basic trust.
Toddler Autonomy vs. shame Toddlers learn to exercise will and (2nd year) and doubt do things for themselves, or they
doubt their abilities.
Preschooler Initiative vs. guilt Preschoolers learn to initiate tasks(3-5 years) and carry out plans, or they feel
guilty about efforts to be independent.
Elementary Competence vs. Children learn the pleasure of applying(6 years- inferiority themselves to tasks, or they feel puberty) inferior.
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Erikson’s Stages of Psychosocial Development
Approximateage Stage Description of Task
Adolescence Identity vs. role Teenagers work at refining a sense of self by(teens into confusion testing roles and then integrating them to 20’s) form a single identity, or they become
confused about who they are.
Young Adult Intimacy vs. Young adults struggle to form close relation- (20’s to early isolation ships and to gain the capacity for intimate 40’s) love, or they feel socially isolated.
Middle Adult Generativity vs. The middle-aged discover a sense of contri-(40’s to 60’s) 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 60’s and despair adult may feel a sense of satisfaction orup) failure.
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Adolescence: Social Development
Identity one’s sense of self the adolescent’s 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
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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.
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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.
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EXPLORING PSYCHOLOGY(7th Edition in Modules)
David MyersAneeq Ahmad
Henderson State University, James A. McCubbin, Ph.D.
Clemson University, Amy Jones, Garber edits
Worth Publishers, © 2008
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