L13: Life Cycle III: Adolescence

Question 1

What are the 3 stages of adolescence? Include age and basic characteristics.

Answer 1

• Early adolescence: age 10-13 (middle school). Marked by quest for autonomy from family. Period of testing authority (first done in toddler stage, this is second). Mood swings and emotional lability are seen. Intense friendships with same-sex peers are common. Feelings of opposite-sex attraction may being, but often are not yet acted upon. As bodies being to change, comparisons made with others. Body issues common, anxiety about body issues common. Thinking concrete, limited understanding of consequences. Little impulse control, strong desire for quick gratification, and high levels risk taking. Vocational goals unrealistic. - Middle adolescence: age 14-17 (high school). Less interest in parents and more time with peers may lead to conflicts. Typically have friends of both sexes (new in comparison to early, where only same sex). Conformity with peer group is of central important – can be problematic for children with chronic health concerns who become non-compliant with meds etc. Relationships often experimental and exploitive. Attractiveness to peers is major concern. Capacity to reason abstractly can begin to develop. Sense of omnipotence and immortality, leads to continuance of risk taking. Creativity and intellectual ability increases, vocational hopes become more realistic. - Late adolescence: age 17-21 (college, military or beginning career). Relationships with parent renegotiated and typically improve. Values begin to mirror that of the family. Peer values are less important, and confidence in self increases. Relationships become more mutual and health. Body image is realistic. Abstract reasoning established. Interests more stable. Capacity to delay gratification improves.

Question 2

What is the physical development that takes place in adolescence?

Answer 2

• This is period of puberty. - Girls: breast budding at age 8-12, menarche typically last step before completion, ovulatory cycles may not begin until 2-3 years after menarche with full fertility by 2 years post-menarche ~ 14-15 yo. - Boys: 2 years later than females. Testicular enlargement is first indication. Growth spurt occurs, followed by spurt in strength. Average time for completion 2-5 years. Full sexual maturity by 17-18.

Question 3

Describe brain development in adolescence.

Answer 3

• Brain 90% of adult size by 5 - Cerebral cortex and frontal lobes immature through early adulthood - Prefrontal cortex responsible for regulating thoughts, feelings and actions, capacity to inhibit impulse. White matter increases through early adulthood, gray matter during early puberty then decrease in late adolescence through synaptic pruning. - Limbic system: where emotions are experienced. Undergoes myelination and pruning to lesser degree. Sensation seeking, novelty seeking and risk taking associated with this development. May increase ability to procreate and learn new tasks, but also increases danger. Risk taking declines by early adulthood. - In males, these processes take longer.

Question 4

Describe cognitive development in adolescence.

Answer 4

• Capacity for logical, abstract thought: not attained by everyone, particularly not by end of adolescence. Not used consistently by those who attained it, use rule of thumbs more commonly. Can test hypotheses systematically. More interested in idealism and abstract ideas than practicalities. Passionate ideas arise here about changing world, but logistics go out window. This is promoted by western-style education. IQ rises over time, but thought to be result of improved education in how to think logically.

Question 5

Explain relationships seen in adolescents.

Answer 5

• High school students spend twice as much time with friends as with parents - Older adolescents value reciprocity, commitment and equality - Healthy friendships need to balance intimacy and autonomy - Girls’ friendships tend to be closer and more intense - Boys’ friendships tend to be more competitive, which can increase closeness if competition is friendly - Cliques: 5-7 good friends, source of emotional security, leader, mixed gender by middle adolescence - Crowds: larger group of friends and acquaintances, perceived stereotypically (jocks, nerds), provide opportunities to meet new people and develop new relationships - Friends selected based on similarity in personality, values and activities - Friends more alike over time as they socialize one another - Deviancy training seen - Sexual activity is significant transition: first intercourse is 17, slightly older in females - Boys report more positive feelings about sex than girls - Pregnancy in 7% of all US teens - Conflict with parents peak in early adolescence

Question 6

What are the parental tasks during the adolescent phase?

Answer 6

• Gentle question to help adolescents think critically stimulates moral development. - Warm, supportive parenting increases capacity to regulate feelings – opposed to high level of emotional negativity which increase negative emotions and aggression in teens - Ideal is authoritative, not controlling or permissive - Set clear standards - Firm, but not coercive - Consistent discipline - Explain basis for decisions - Allow real discussion of issues where conflict seen - Monitor behavior without overprotectiveness - Foster warm family environment - Provide information and help social skill development - Respond flexibly as children develop

Question 7

In terms of identity development, define following: a.) identity diffusion b.) moratorium c.) foreclosure d.) identity achievement

Answer 7

• a.) identity diffusion = no exploration, no commitment - b.) moratorium = exploration, no commitment - c.) foreclosure = no exploration, comittment - d.) identity achievement = exploration and commitment

Question 8

Explain Jean Phinney’s stages of ethinic identity development.

Answer 8

• Unexamined ethnic identity: preference for cultural values of majority - Ethnic identity search: interest in personal implication of ethnicity and search for information about group - Ethnic identity achievement: self-confidence in identity and positive self-concept, fostered by cultural traditions being upheld in home

Question 9

Define sexual identity.

Answer 9

• Understanding of oneself as heterosexual, homosexual or bisexual.

Question 10

What are Richard Troiden’s stages of sexual minority identity development? Explain.

Answer 10

a.) sensitization: feeling different b.) self-recognition: identity confusion c.) identity assumption d.) commitment: identity integration

Question 11

Discuss adolescent emotional health concerns to pay attention to.

Answer 11

• Internalization of problems, particularly in girls - Marked increase in depression and anxiety, particularly in girls - Risk for eating disorders increases, particularly in girls - Externalizing problems, common in boys - Delinquent behavior increases markedly between early and middle adolescence (10-17) - Increase in property destruction, fighting and drug use