Introduction: The Study of Adolescent Development Flashcards
What is adolescence?
A period of life that is a specific social construct. It differs in length, content, experience, and responsibilities between cultures.
What is the history of adolescence in Ancient Times in Western Cultures?
Plato & Aristotle labelled adolescence as the 3rd distinct stage of life, from 14-21.
What is the history of adolescence in 1500-1890 in Western Cultures?
This period was the end of the middle ages, from the renaissance to the industrial revolution. Life cycle services in western countries - institutions of social control start to develop more strongly. Children learn a trade in order to be productive adults.
What is the history of adolescence in 1890-1920 in Western Cultures?
Child labour was widespread in the 1800s. Adolescence became a term in the late 19th century. New laws restrict child labour and require school attendance (which marks a difference between adolescence & adulthood). Reasons for this include: industrialization allowed for less need of children in the labour force, social & scientific developments, the study of adolescence emerged.
What is the history of child labour?
In the 19th century, adolescents worked under difficult conditions (ex. coal mines) By the early 20th century, they were excluded from working & allowed to go to school as social changes were happening. Social reform movements influenced seeing kids as kids instead of workers. The increase in the capital allowed for parents to support their families without kids working. These conditions continued to evolve into the 20th century.
What is the current age of adolescence?
The median age has gone from 13-15 years to 10 years. This is due to social changes, not biological. End of adolescence roughly 24 years old. This varies between cultures & communities.
Why does the rate of residential change peak at adulthood?
Adults move for work, school, relationships, etc. Tend to move less as children/elders.
What are the distinctive features of emerging adulthood?
- Identity Exploration
- Instability
- Self-focus
- Feeling in-between
- Possibilities/optimism
What is Identity Exploration during emerging adulthood?
Trying out different possibilities in love & work. Developing an identity, who they are, capabilities & limitations, beliefs & values, how they fit into society.
What is Instability during emerging adulthood?
residential change, job change, education change
What is Self-focus during emerging adulthood?
Become more independent, self sufficient. Focus on themselves to develop knowledge, skills, and self understanding to prepare for adulthood
What is Feeling in-between during emerging adulthood?
Transitional period, not quite an adult
What is Possibilities/optimism during emerging adulthood?
Little has been decided. Marked by optimism and great expectations. Have left home but not committed to a new relationship.
Whats the avg age of marriage like across the world?
Highest (30-34) is Australia and Europe
Middle (24-30) is NA and Asia
Lowest (20-24) is Africa
What is the transition into adulthood in western societies ?
Legally this happens at 18 (usually). Markers include: Accepting responsibility for oneself, making independent decisions,
becoming financially independent
What is the transition into adulthood in other cultural variations?
In traditional, non western cultures, it is marked by marriage, by chronological age or physical development (such as self control).
What is collectivism?
Mute individual desires, to contribute to society as a whole
What is individualism?
the system of belief emphasizes the desire of independence
What are the 5 steps of the scientific method?
Step 1 - identify a research question
Step 2 - form a hypothesis
Step 3 - choose a research method & a research design
Step 4 - collect data to test the hypothesis
Step 5 - draw conclusions and form new or more questions & hypotheses
What are the ethical guidelines of the Institutional Review Board?
- Protection from physical and psychological harm
- Informed consent prior to participation
- Confidentiality
- Deception and debriefing
What are the types of research methods?
Questionnaires- Closed question, Open ended question
Interviews - Qualitative data, Quantitative data
Observations - look at behaviour
Ethnographic research - live among participants
Case studies - follow a small group / one person and collect data
Biological measurements
Experimental research - Experimental research method, Experimental group vs. control group,
Independent variable vs. dependent variable,
Interventions
Natural experiments - Adoption studies, Twin studies
What is reliability?
Reliability: consistency of measurements