Adolescent development

Question 1

Name the five major psychosocial developments of adolescents.

Answer 1

1. Identity.
2. Autonomy.
3. Intimacy.
4. Sexuality.
5. Achievement.

Question 2

How does puberty effect identity development? (3)

Answer 2

• Changes take place at a time when the individual has the intellectual capacity to appreciate fully just how significant the changes are.
• Identity development through puberty can result in dramatic changes in physical appearance associated with puberty that can alter how adolescents see and evaluate themselves.
• When looks change, individuals can sometimes feel as though personality can change too.

Question 3

How does cognitive change effect adolescents?

Answer 3

Cognitive change during adolescence permits young people to think about themselves in new ways.

Question 4

How do changes in social roles effect development?

Answer 4

Changes in social roles at adolescence opens up a range of choices and decisions for the adolescent to make. These decisions require adolescents to ask questions about their identity.

Question 5

What are the three changes in identity development?

Answer 5

1. Changes in self-conception.
2. Changes in self esteem.
3. Changes in a sense of identity.

Question 6

Describe changes in self-conception (2).

Answer 6

• Adolescents recognise that they may come across differently to different people.
• Adolescents are more likely than children to link traits and attributes that describe themselves to specific situations rather than using them as global characterisations.

Question 7

What is false self behaviour?

Answer 7

Behaviour that intentionally presents a false impression to others and acting in a way that one know is inauthentic. (relevant to changes of self conception)

Question 8

When do changes in self esteem occur?

Answer 8

Evidence suggests that minor problems in self-image may arise for a brief period during early adolescence (age 11-15).

Question 9

What effects does low self esteem have?

Answer 9

Higher anxiety levels.

Question 10

Are boys or girls more sensitive to low self esteem?

Answer 10

Girls.

Question 11

What are the four statuses of identity?

Answer 11

1. Identity achievement.
2. Identity foreclosure.
3. Identity moratorium.
4. Identity diffusion.

Question 12

Describe identity diffusion (2).

Answer 12

• Status adolescents are in when they haven’t explored meaningful alternatives regarding some identity question.
• Characterised by a disjointed, incomplete sense of self.

Question 13

Describe identity foreclosure (2).

Answer 13

• Status adolescents are in when they have made a commitment but have not had adequate opportunity to explore different approaches.
• Results in premature commitment to a role and sense of identity.

Question 14

Describe identity moratorium.

Answer 14

Adolescents who are in the midst of exploring and experimenting, but have not made a clear commitment to an identity.

Question 15

Describe identity achievement.

Answer 15

Adolescents who have engaged in an adequate period of exploration and made a commitment.

Question 16

What characteristics define an individual that has achieved a sense of identity?

Answer 16

• They take responsibility for themselves.
• Feel in control of their decisions.
• Confident that they can overcome obstacles.

Question 17

What is the definition of adolescence?

Answer 17

Adolescence is the stage of development that begins with puberty and ends when individuals make the transitions into adult roles.

Question 18

What structural changes occur in the brain during adolescence?

Answer 18

• Thinning of grey matter.
• Pruning of pre frontal cortex.

Question 19

What activity changes occur in the brain during adolescence?

Answer 19

• Improved self control.
• More likely to use multiple parts of the brain simultaneously.

Question 20

How is changes in the brain linked to puberty?

Answer 20

Changes in the ways the brain is affected by certain neurological transmitters such as dopamine and serotonin are linked to the hormonal changes of puberty.

Question 21

What do changes in the social brain effect?

Answer 21

Increases the brains susceptibility to social cues such as facial expression and increases sensitivity to social evaluation.

Question 22

Name two implications of adolescent brain development.

Answer 22

1. Adolescents experience higher highs, and lower lows.
2. Adolescents are especially sensitive to emotional cues.