Lecture 21: Vision - Adolescence 2

Question 1

What is self-concept, and how does it develop?

Answer 1

• Definition: A view of oneself shaped by experiences and evaluations from others (Liebert et al., 1990).
• Adolescents transition from concrete to abstract self-portraits during adolescence (Harter, 1999).

Question 2

What are self-esteem and self-efficacy?

Answer 2

• Self-esteem: Confidence in one’s worth or abilities (Liebert et al., 1990).
• Self-efficacy: Judgment of one’s ability to organize and execute actions to achieve goals (Merikangas et al., 2009).

Question 3

What role does social comparison play in adolescent self-concept?

Answer 3

• Early adolescents rely on social comparisons and normative standards to evaluate themselves.

Study: Markus & Nurius (1986): Adolescents balance “ideal” and “feared” selves to develop their identity.

Question 4

What is the difference between true and false selves?

Answer 4

• True Self: Authentic representation of one’s identity.
• False Self: Altered presentation depending on audience or context (Harter & Lee, 1989).

Question 5

What is Erik Erikson’s theory of identity development?

Answer 5

• Adolescence is marked by an identity crisis: Establishing inner confidence despite external changes (Erikson, 1968).
• Gender roles influence identity formation: Men prioritize individual identity, while women focus on relational roles.

Question 6

What are Marcia’s Four Identity Statuses?

Answer 6

1. Identity Diffusion: No exploration or commitment.
2. Foreclosure: Commitment without exploration.
3. Moratorium: Active exploration without commitment.
4. Identity Achievement: Commitment following exploration (Marcia, 1980, 1987, 1994).

Question 7

How does parenting influence identity development?

Answer 7

• High warmth/open communication: Linked to achievement or moratorium.
• Overly close bonds: Lead to foreclosure.
• Low warmth/poor communication: Associated with diffusion.

Study: Grotevant & Cooper (1985); Papini (1994): Longitudinal surveys on parental influence.

Question 8

What is the relationship between self-concept and emotional disorders?

Answer 8

• Negative self-concept is linked to depression and social anxiety.

Study: Masselink et al. (2018): Longitudinal evidence shows poor self-image predicts emotional disorders.

Question 9

How does self-concept relate to social anxiety?

Answer 9

• Adolescents with social anxiety perceive peer relationships and physical attributes negatively.

Study: Delgado et al. (2013):
Participants: 2,022 Spanish adolescents.
Methodology: Self-concept and social anxiety assessed using validated scales.

Question 10

How does self-concept predict depression?

Answer 10

• Adolescents with negative self-concept are at higher risk for developing depression.

Study: Orchard & Reynolds (2018):
Methodology: Self-perception measures predicted depression diagnoses as effectively as clinical assessments.

Question 11

How does self-concept relate to psychosis?

Answer 11

• Negative self-beliefs are linked to chronic psychotic symptoms.

Study: Healy et al. (2019):
Decline in self-concept correlates with increased psychotic experiences in at-risk adolescents.

Question 12

What role does self-concept play in psychotic risk?

Answer 12

• Adolescents at high risk for psychosis exhibit significantly poorer self-concept than peers.

Study: Saleem et al. (2014):
Methodology: Longitudinal assessment of self-concept in high-risk and healthy controls.

Question 13

What are the gender differences in self-concept?

Answer 13

• Females report more negative self-concept than males, contributing to higher depression rates.

Study: Robins & Trzesniewski (2005): Gendered patterns in self-concept across adolescence.

Question 14

How does negative self-concept contribute to female depression?

Answer 14

• Girls experience heightened body dissatisfaction and relational challenges, driving depression.

Study: Kuehner (2017):
Methodology: Longitudinal tracking of gender-specific factors influencing self-concept and depression.

Question 15

How does culture influence identity formation?

Answer 15

• Identity formation now extends into adulthood due to changing cultural and historical norms.

Study: Waterman (1992): Cross-cultural comparisons of identity development stages.

Question 16

How do parents promote identity achievement?

Answer 16

• By providing autonomy while offering emotional support and guidance.

Study: Papini (1994): Parenting styles fostering identity achievement in adolescents.

Question 17

What is the link between self-concept and resilience?

Answer 17

• Positive self-concept serves as a protective factor against stress and mental health challenges.

Study: Landazabal et al. (2008): Surveys on adolescents’ resilience and self-perception.

Question 18

What are Markus & Nurius’s (1986) views on the “ideal” and “feared” self?

Answer 18

• Adolescents use these contrasting self-concepts to balance aspirations with concerns.

Methodology: Surveys and interviews exploring adolescents’ internalized goals and fears.

Question 19

How does identity crisis relate to mental health?

Answer 19

• Adolescents in moratorium or diffusion statuses are more likely to report emotional distress.

Study: Marcia (1980): Longitudinal tracking of adolescents’ identity statuses and mental health outcomes.

Question 20

How does Erikson’s theory explain identity and intimacy in men and women?

Answer 20

• Men prioritize individual identity before intimacy, while women often integrate relational roles.

Study: Erikson (1968): Psychoanalytic observations on gendered pathways to identity.