CP PSYCHOLOGY

CHAPTER 9

Adolescence

Section 9Q1Differing Viewpoints

Mr. Freccia, NHSGlencoe Publishers

Adolescence 9Q1

• Adults, psychologists and adolescents view adolescent behavior differently

• Adults often admire teen values, energy, music, and activities

• Some adults feel threatened by teens or regret their own loss of youthfulness

• Different ideas on morality often leads adults to have negative feelings toward some teenagers

• Adolescents tend to view themselves the way they think adults see them

• Teens tend to either over-idealize or hold overly negative views about themselves

Adolescence 9Q1

• Adolescence is often a period of intense individual search for identity

• Some psychologists (Stanley Hall) theorize that adolescence is a time of animalistic “storm and stress”

• Some theorists (Margaret Meade) believe adolescence is an enjoyable progression to adulthood

Adolescence 9Q1

• Adolescents face developmental challenges with success dependent on past experience

• Develop their sexual relationships & identity, independence, vocation, marriage, moral and social values

• Transition to adulthood involves changes in reasoning, morality, and personality

Adolescence 9Q1

CP PSYCHOLOGY

CHAPTER 9

Adolescence

Section 9Q2Psychological & Physical Development

Mr. Freccia, NHSGlencoe Publishers

Adolescence 9Q2

• Puberty: Sexual maturation that marks the end of childhood• Menarche: Female menstruation begins about age 12-13, along with a growth spurt•Spermarche: Male’s first ejaculation at about age 12-13, growth spurt 2 years later•Asynchrony: Temporary uneven growth of body parts causing clumsiness in teens

Throughout childhood, boys and girls are similar in height. At puberty, girls surge ahead briefly, but then boys overtake them at about age 14.

Height in centimeters

190

170

150

130

110

90

70

50

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18Age in years

Boys Girls

Girls reach puberty (105 pounds) about 2 years earlier than boys

Adolescence 9Q2

• Adolescent reaction to developmental process may affect personality• Early maturation in males often results in self confidence and leadership attributes• Early maturation in females may result in embarrassment and domination of peers• Self-fulfilling prophecy: theorizes that teens adjust their personality to fit maturation image

Adolescence 9Q2

• Adolescent thought patterns also change, becoming more abstract and introspective• Adolescent emotions often become overpowering and dealt with through rationalization• Better educated adolescents and cultures are more able to control intense emotions• Moral thinking continues to develop and is linked to a teen’s relationship with parents

Adolescence 9Q2

• Psychologist Eric Ericson theorizes that building an identity is critical task for teens• Identity Crisis: a time of “storm and stress” in which teens worry about who they are• Painful process as teens try to feel “unique” on one hand and “to fit in” on the other• Some psychologists disagree with Ericson, believing in a smooth adolescent process

Adolescence 9Q2

100%

80

60

40

20

0 2 to 4 5 to 8 9 to 11 Ages of child in years

Percent withpositive, warm

interactionwith parents

Earlier maturation and higher education has extended the time between puberty and independence

Transition from adolescence to adulthood is taking longer today

Adolescence 9Q2

CP PSYCHOLOGY

CHAPTER 9

Adolescence

Section 9Q3Social Development

Mr. Freccia, NHSGlencoe Publishers

Extra CreditExtra Credit

For Two Extra Credit points, write down the three most important concepts that you learned from yesterday’s lesson. Why were these concepts important?

Adolescence 9Q3• Adolescent sexual attitudes vary widely around the world and between generations• Sexual identity is determined by a person’s physical attributes (Penis = Male, Vagina = Female)• Sex Role: How society says a person is supposed to behave based on sexual identity• Stereotypes historically depict men as rugged/physical; females as sensitive/caring

• Androgynous Roles: A flexible combination of traditional male and female characteristics

• Androgynous roles are becoming an accepted ideal in modern cultures

Adolescence 9Q3

• Family Role: Changes for adolescents as they progress toward total independence

• The way in which teens seek independence depends on the parent/child relationship

Adolescence 9Q3

•Authoritarian Parents: Are the “bosses” and don’t allow children to question their authority

•Teen tends to grow up resenting all authority and often rebel without obvious cause

Adolescence 9Q3

Democratic Parents: Allow child to discuss/negotiate in decisions affecting their lives

Teens grow up more confident, responsible, mature, and able to handle independence

Adolescence 9Q3

• Permissive/Laissez-Faire Parents: Allow child to have final say with few if any rules

• Teens tend to feel unwanted, unloved, aggressive, and doubt their own self worth

Adolescence 9Q3

• Parental/Teen conflict may occur in all families

• Females have more parental conflict than males

Adolescence 9Q3

Teen Conformity (peer pressure) results from a fear of being disliked by othersCliques are important to teen identity and tend to form along social class linesTeens tend to choose friends with values close to their own family’s values

Adolescence 9Q3

• Many teens experience an illusion of invulnerability leading to risk-taking behaviors

Adolescence 9Q3

What Adolescents Need and Want From Their Parents

1. Take an Interest in their activities. Be available when they need help/support.

2. Listen to what teenagers say. Try to understand their point of view.

3. Communicate with their children. Talk with teenagers but not at them.

4. Love and Accept them as they are. Do not make teens feel rejected and worthless because they can’t meet parents expectations.

5. Trust and Respect their privacy. Teens resent parents who open their mail, read their diaries, or eavesdrop on conversations.

6. Allow Independence by giving leeway in choice of friends, music and clothes. Independence should be increased as they can handle it.

7. Not be Too Strict or Too Permissive. Family rules should be democratic and parents should be consistent in enforcing them.