Chapter 1 - Defining Adolescents

Question 0

Ethnicity

Answer 0

Ethnicity is the cultural group to which an individual belongs.

Question 1

Gender

Answer 1

Gender is the cultural and psychological contributions to being female or male.

Question 2

Early Adolescence

Answer 2

Early adolescence is the period of adolescence between the ages of about 11 to 15, marked by the onset of puberty, changing gender roles, more autonomous relationships with parents, and more mature relationships with peers.

Question 3

Late Adolescence

Answer 3

Late adolescence is the period of adolescence between the ages of about 16 to 19 that is organized around the central task of achieving an identity, in which adolescents integrate their sexuality into their relationships, prepare for a vocation, and fashion a personal set of beliefs.

Question 4

Emerging Adulthood

Answer 4

Emerging adulthood is a period between adolescence and adulthood characterized by demographic unpredictability and increased opportunity for identity exploration.

Question 5

Identity

Answer 5

Identity is the part of one’s personality of which one is aware and is able to see as a meaningful and coherent whole.

Question 6

Adolescence

Answer 6

Adolescence is the transitional and often ambiguous period of development between childhood and adulthood. The duration, characteristics, and even existence of such a period depend very much on historical, social, cultural, and economic factors.

Question 7

Historical Perspective

Answer 7

The historical perspective is an approach that considers the way patterns of individual development differ as a function of the historical context.

Question 8

Lifespan Perspective

Answer 8

The lifespan perspective is the view that development is characterized by continuity as well as change throughout life.

Question 9

Contextual Perspective

Answer 9

Contextual perspective is the view that development is influenced by one’s ethnicity and culture.

Question 10

Constructive Perspective

Answer 10

The constructive perspective is the view that perception is an active, constructive process in which individuals interpret and give meaning to their experiences.

Question 11

Traditional Cultures

Answer 11

Traditional cultures are cultures that have maintained their values and practices over long periods. These cultures often find themselves in conflict with other traditional or more rapidly changing cultures or with internal pressures for change.

Question 12

Developing Countries

Answer 12

Developing countries are countries that have only recently begun to adopt modern technology, social forms, and means of production. Such countries were previously termed “third world” countries.

Question 13

Globalization

Answer 13

Globalization is the process by which expanding international trade, communication, and travel erases national and geographical boundaries.

Question 14

Puberty

Answer 14

Puberty is the growth processes, including the skeletal growth spurt and maturation of the reproductive system, that begin in early adolescence and transform children into physically and sexually mature adults.

Question 15

Sexual Dimorphism

Answer 15

Sexual dimorphism is the physical differences that distinguish adult females and males.

Question 16

Compulsory Education Laws

Answer 16

Compulsory education laws are legislation making school attendance mandatory for children and adolescents until they graduate or reach a minimum age.

Question 17

Child Labor Laws

Answer 17

Child labor laws are laws that specify minimum ages for various types of work.

Question 18

Juvenile Justice

Answer 18

Juvenile justice laws are legislation instituting separate legal proceedings for juveniles and adults.

Question 19

Cohort Group

Answer 19

A cohort group is people born during the same historical period of undergoing the same historical influences.

Question 20

Microsystem

Answer 20

In the contextual perspective, the microsystem is one’s immediate social contexts, involving firsthand experiences such as interactions at home or in the classroom.

Question 21

Mesosystem

Answer 21

In the contextual perspective, the mesosystem is social contexts involving interactions of several microsystems, such as when parents meet teachers.

Question 22

Exosystem

Answer 22

In the contextual perspective, the exosystem is contexts occurring at the level of the community, such as types of schools and housing.

Question 23

Macrosystem

Answer 23

In the contextual system, the macrosystem is the underlying social and political climate at the level of society.

Question 24

Chronosystem

Answer 24

In the contextual system, the chronosystem is the changing impact of the various environmental systems (micro, meso, exo, macro) at different historical periods.

Question 25

Sex Differences

Answer 25

Sex differences are biological and physiological differences distinguishing the sexes.

Question 26

Gender Differences

Answer 26

Gender differences are culturally determined differences in masculinity and femininity.

Question 27

Gender Stereotypes

Answer 27

Gender stereotypes are the cultural expectations concerning behaviors that are appropriate for each sex.

Question 28

Culture

Answer 28

Culture is the values, beliefs, and customs that are shared by a group of people and passed from one generation to the next.

Question 29

Ethnic Identity

Answer 29

Ethnic identity is an awareness of belonging to an ethnic group that shapes one’s thoughts, feelings, and behavior.

Question 30

Minority

Answer 30

A minority is a social group, distinguished by physical or cultural characteristics, that often receives differential treatment.