Adolescent Development

Question 1

Define adolescence.

Answer 1

The period between the onset of physical changes due to puberty until the adoption of an adult role.

Question 2

Why should there be a stage of development called “Emerging adulthood”?

Answer 2

In modern society, it is taking longer to establish an identity than in the past because the traditional trappings of adulthood (i.e. career, children, marriage) are taking more time. This builds the case for an additional stage of development, “emerging adulthood”

Question 3

Define psychosocial development.

Answer 3

Changes in social, emotional, and moral self from childhood to adulthood

Question 4

How does the interdependence of biological/physical changes affect boys and girls differently?

Answer 4

Early physical maturation affects boys positively and girls negatively.

Late physical maturation affects girls positively and boys negatively.

Question 5

What are the 2 aspects of egocentrism?

Answer 5

The personal fable and The imaginary audience.

Question 6

What is the personal fable?

Answer 6

A belief held by many adolescents telling them that they are special and unique, so much so that none of life’s difficulties or problems will affect them regardless of their behavior

Question 7

What is the imaginary audience?

Answer 7

A belief, often exhibited in young adolescents, that multitudes of people are enthusiastically listening to or watching him or her.

Question 8

How are teens affected by the personal fable?

Answer 8

They exhibit increased risk behaviors with the belief that they are invincible.

Question 9

How are teens affected by the imaginary audience?

Answer 9

They are more self-conscious.

Question 10

Define cognitive development.

Answer 10

Progression from the way a child thinks to how an adult thinks.

Question 11

Define concrete thinking.

Answer 11

Thinking in the here-and-now; adolescents only being able to perceive what they are in direct contact with.

Question 12

Define abstract thinking.

Answer 12

The ability to imagine things not yet experienced or encountered; combinatorial knowledge.

Question 13

Symptoms displayed by teens trapped in concrete thinking: (5 things)

Answer 13

Arguing for the sake of arguing
Self-centered behavior
Jumping to conclusions
Overly dramatic
Constantly finding fault in the adults position

Question 14

Define identity.

Answer 14

An established sense of self and role in society.

Question 15

Define Erikson’s identity crisis.

Answer 15

The uncertainty and discomfort of adolescents when they struggle to develop a workable identity and societal “role” resulting in role confusion.

Question 16

What are the symptoms displayed by teens of role confusion?

Answer 16

Experimentation with different peer groups, styles of dress, and rebellion from the family’s image.

Question 17

Define James Marcia’s concept of identity.

Answer 17

The extent to which one has explored and committed to an identity in various domains of life, pushed along by identity crises.

Question 18

What are the 4 types of identity crises according to James Marcia?

Answer 18

Identity diffusion
Identity moratorium
Foreclosure/Negative identity
Identity achievement

Question 19

Define identity diffusion.

Answer 19

Teen has not thought about or resolved identity issues and has failed to chart future life course (neither explored nor committed)

Question 20

Define identity moratorium.

Answer 20

Teen is in the midst of identity crisis and actively questioning life choices and commitments (active exploration, not yet committed)

Question 21

Define foreclosure.

Answer 21

Teen has chosen an identity without experiencing crisis or deciding what they want for themselves (no exploration, active commitment); often a handed-down identity

Question 22

Define negative identity.

Answer 22

Teen rejects the handed-down identity

Question 23

Define identity achievement.

Answer 23

Teen has resolved identity issues by personally choosing particular goals, beliefs, and values (explored and committed)

Question 24

General patterns of the early (11-14) adolescent stage according to:
Biological/Physical
Cognitive
Emotional
Social

Answer 24

Biological/Physical - Early and mid-puberty

Cognitive - Concrete thinking

Emotional - Compared to childhood, increasing mood changes, anxiety and “stress”

Social - Family and peers primary focus; body image

Question 25

General patterns of the middle (14-17) adolescent stage according to:
Biological/Physical
Cognitive
Emotional
Social

Answer 25

Biological/Physical - Late-puberty and post-puberty

Cognitive - Started abstract thinking with variability and egocentrism

Emotional - Changeable, but developing more ability to moderate emotions

Social - Independence and identity. Emotional separation from parents, peers are primary focus. Begins experimenting with love and intimacy.

Question 26

General patterns of the middle (17-21) adolescent stage according to:
Biological/Physical
Cognitive
Emotional
Social

Answer 26

Biological/Physical - Post-puberty

Cognitive - Concrete thought more like adults

Emotional - More adult-like in coping reaction to stressful circumstances; more reliance on others in functional manner

Social - Intimate partner and vocational goals are primary focus.

Question 27

Define developmental asynchrony.

Answer 27

Fundamental imbalance in puberty due to different timing of development of brain regions and systems

Question 28

How does the brain develop asynchronously?

Answer 28

The increase in the number of myelinated fibers (white matter) connect functional neural networks in a back to front brain pattern. Thus, the prefrontal cortex and areas of the brain associated with emotion/impulse are the last areas to fully mature.

Question 29

75% of adolescent deaths are from:

Answer 29

H.A.S.

1. accidents
2. homicides
3. suicide

Question 30

______ is the 3rd leading cause of death in adolescents ages 15 - 24.

Answer 30

Suicide

Question 31

What percentage of teens that commit suicide have a diagnosable psychiatric disorder?

Answer 31

90%

Question 32

In psychosocial screening of teens, a broad discussion is carried on about what topics?

Answer 32

HEADS

Home environment
Education and employment
Activities/Anxiety
Drugs
Sexuality/Suicide

Question 33

What percentage of adolescent deaths are due to homicides, accidents, and suicide?

Answer 33

75%