Adolescent Development Flashcards
Define adolescence.
The period between the onset of physical changes due to puberty until the adoption of an adult role.
Why should there be a stage of development called “Emerging adulthood”?
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”
Define psychosocial development.
Changes in social, emotional, and moral self from childhood to adulthood
How does the interdependence of biological/physical changes affect boys and girls differently?
Early physical maturation affects boys positively and girls negatively.
Late physical maturation affects girls positively and boys negatively.
What are the 2 aspects of egocentrism?
The personal fable and The imaginary audience.
What is the personal fable?
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
What is the imaginary audience?
A belief, often exhibited in young adolescents, that multitudes of people are enthusiastically listening to or watching him or her.
How are teens affected by the personal fable?
They exhibit increased risk behaviors with the belief that they are invincible.
How are teens affected by the imaginary audience?
They are more self-conscious.
Define cognitive development.
Progression from the way a child thinks to how an adult thinks.
Define concrete thinking.
Thinking in the here-and-now; adolescents only being able to perceive what they are in direct contact with.
Define abstract thinking.
The ability to imagine things not yet experienced or encountered; combinatorial knowledge.
Symptoms displayed by teens trapped in concrete thinking: (5 things)
Arguing for the sake of arguing Self-centered behavior Jumping to conclusions Overly dramatic Constantly finding fault in the adults position
Define identity.
An established sense of self and role in society.
Define Erikson’s identity crisis.
The uncertainty and discomfort of adolescents when they struggle to develop a workable identity and societal “role” resulting in role confusion.
What are the symptoms displayed by teens of role confusion?
Experimentation with different peer groups, styles of dress, and rebellion from the family’s image.
Define James Marcia’s concept of identity.
The extent to which one has explored and committed to an identity in various domains of life, pushed along by identity crises.
What are the 4 types of identity crises according to James Marcia?
Identity diffusion
Identity moratorium
Foreclosure/Negative identity
Identity achievement
Define identity diffusion.
Teen has not thought about or resolved identity issues and has failed to chart future life course (neither explored nor committed)
Define identity moratorium.
Teen is in the midst of identity crisis and actively questioning life choices and commitments (active exploration, not yet committed)
Define foreclosure.
Teen has chosen an identity without experiencing crisis or deciding what they want for themselves (no exploration, active commitment); often a handed-down identity
Define negative identity.
Teen rejects the handed-down identity
Define identity achievement.
Teen has resolved identity issues by personally choosing particular goals, beliefs, and values (explored and committed)
General patterns of the early (11-14) adolescent stage according to: Biological/Physical Cognitive Emotional Social
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
General patterns of the middle (14-17) adolescent stage according to: Biological/Physical Cognitive Emotional Social
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.
General patterns of the middle (17-21) adolescent stage according to: Biological/Physical Cognitive Emotional Social
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.
Define developmental asynchrony.
Fundamental imbalance in puberty due to different timing of development of brain regions and systems
How does the brain develop asynchronously?
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.
75% of adolescent deaths are from:
H.A.S.
- accidents
- homicides
- suicide
______ is the 3rd leading cause of death in adolescents ages 15 - 24.
Suicide
What percentage of teens that commit suicide have a diagnosable psychiatric disorder?
90%
In psychosocial screening of teens, a broad discussion is carried on about what topics?
HEADS
Home environment Education and employment Activities/Anxiety Drugs Sexuality/Suicide
What percentage of adolescent deaths are due to homicides, accidents, and suicide?
75%
