Adolescence Flashcards
What are the developmental stages associated with Adolescence?
Freud - Genital
Erikson - Identity vs. Identity diffusion
Piaget - Formal operational thought
What are the major developmental characteristics associated with adolescence?
Development of secondary sex characteristics
Identity development
Peer relations
Intimate relations
Independence
Anticipation of adult roles
Describe language development in adolesence
Vocab of over 40,000 words that includes abstract terms
Understand irony, sarcasm
Metalinguistic awareness
Describe cognitive development in adolescence
Abstract reasoning
Hypothetico-deductive reasoning
Propositional thought
Egocentrism - - imaginary audience, personal fable
What is the idea of a personal fable?
Belief that they are special and unique
Contributes to adolescent risk
Describe motor/physical development in adolescence
Fully capable by the end of this period
Can be significant differences in timein
What are the primary sex characteristics?
Physical features that involve the reproductive organs
What are the secondary sex characteristics?
Features visible on the outside of the body that serve as signs of sexual maturity but do not involve reproductive organs
E.g. facial hair, breast development
What is the age range for puberty in males?
11-16
What is the age range for puberty in females?
10-14
What factors affect puberty?
Heredity
Nutrition and exercise - fat stimulates sex hormones
Physical health
Early experiences - trauma leads to earlier menarche
What is identity?
A well organized conception of the self made up of values, beliefs, and goals to which the individual is solidly committed
What is identity achievement?
Adolescent has explored alternatives and has committed to a clear set of values and goals that they have actively chosen
What is the identity moratorium?
Adolescent is in the process of exploring but has yet to define a specific set of values
Progressing through the process
What is identity foreclosure?
Adolescent has committed to a set of beliefs and values without actively exploring
Accept an identity in it’s entirety
What is identity diffusion?
Adolescent lacks clear direction
Not committed to any goals or searching
May find the task overwhelming
Which identity exploration processes are most healthy?
Identity achievement and moratorium
How do peer relations change in adolescence?
Number of friends tends to decrease over time while stability increases
Greater effort in maintaining friendships
Important supports during times of stress
How do close friendships affect adolescents?
Opportunites to explore self
Foundation for future intimate relationships
Support in dealing with everyday stresses
Improve attitude and involvement in school
Describe sexual identity in adolescents
Isolated homosexual experiences are not uncommon
Some adolescents have already identified as gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgendered
What are risk behaviors associated with adolescence?
Sex
Accidents
Substance use
Violence
What percentage of adolescents have ever had sexual intercourse?
41%
What percentage of new HIV diagnoses are accounted for by adolescents?
22%
What is the leading cause of death of adolescents and young adults?
Motor vehicle at 73%
What substance is most used by adolescents?
Alcohol at 33%
What are some characteristics of attackers in school shootings?
Many felt bullied or persecuted
Most were doing well in school
98% had experienced a significant loss prior to attack
Describe anorexia nervosa
Refusal to maintain body weight
Intense fear of gaining weight
Amenorrhea
Two types: Restricting, Binge-eating/Purging
Describe Bulimia Nervosa
Binge episodes occur at least 2x/week for 3 months
Sense of lack of control
Recurrent inappropriate behaviors to compensate
Who is more likely to commit suicide? Attempt?
Males more likely to commit
Females more likely to attempt
