Lecture 1: introduction

Question 1

History of adolescence in ancient times

Answer 1

Plato and Aristotle viewed adolescence as the third distinct stage of life. Characterized by the Capacity to reason starting to develop (…but still impulsive)
Limited knowledge and skills (less emphasis on education for adolescence)

Question 2

Adolescence in the 1500-1800’s

Answer 2

Capable of work (child labour), Limited emphasis on education, Seen as contributors to the household, leave the home to work

Question 3

Late 1800’s to early 1900’s

Answer 3

Age stratification (recognized it as a unique age group) "age of adolescence"
,Child labour laws, Schooling law, Recognition as a field of study

Question 4

What is the storm and stress theory?

Answer 4

Mood disruptions, (Extreme emotions, more depressed mood)
Conflict with parents
(Challenging rules (e.g., curfew, dating, appearance)
Risky behaviours
(Rebellion
E.g., drug/alcohol use, risky sexual behaviour, dangerous driving)

Question 5

What are some challenges to the storm and stress theory?

Answer 5

• Not universal, but more common during adolescence
• Individual differences
• Varies across cultures (its more common in individualistic societies/developed countries vs. traditional/community based societies)
• period of change

Question 6

Psychosocial Development (erikson- mid to late 1900’s)

Answer 6

Identity vs. role confusion

Question 7

Cognitive development (Piaget- mid to late 1900’s)

Answer 7

Formal operations (abstract thinking, reasoning) Information processing

Question 8

Learning and social cognitive development (the late 1900’s- Bandura)

Answer 8

Ways thoughts and actions are affected by social environment, Peer influence in adolescence

Question 9

What is emerging adulthood?

Answer 9

Time of “in-betweenness”. Feeling that you are not an

adolescent, but not a ‘real’ adult, Less reliant on the family unit, Not completely independent

Question 10

Emerging adulthood is considered a time of…

Answer 10

• Identity exploration
• Self focus (deciding what to do with your future, independence)
• Transition
• Instability (period of constant change)
• Possibilities (no long-term commitments, lots of open doors)

Question 11

History of emerging adulthood

Answer 11

Relatively new phenomenon, Used to go from adolescence to young adulthood by age 22
Emerging adulthood is not the same as young adulthood

Question 12

emerging adulthood in the media

Answer 12

Propagated by the media, Failure to meet/difficulty facing critical tasks of emerging adulthood

Question 13

So when does emerging adulthood take place?

Answer 13

Age range is ambiguous
Not necessarily related to biological or cognitive processes, it has a lot of variability and can depend on social context and maturity levels.

Question 14

What are the multiple factors and criteria to consider?

Answer 14

Biological changes (e.g., completed puberty)
Sociological context
Legal criteria (old enough to drive, vote, drink etc.)
Other demographic criteria
Lack of demographic consistency (diverse living, school/work, and persnoal situations)

Question 15

What are the criticisms of emerging adulthood?

Answer 15

More controversial-inventing a stage?
Only describes (not explains) a time period
Does not apply to all individuals (Culture and context specific)

Question 16

Why is culture and context a criticism of emerging adulthood?

Answer 16

Only applies to cultures in developed countries

• Widespread education/training
• Freedom of occupational shifts
• Individualization (freedom of life choices)
• Delayed marriage, parenthood
• Delayed work responsibilities