Module 10: Adolescence

Adolescence Adolescence: the transition period from childhood to adulthood, extending from puberty to independence. Puberty: the period of sexual maturation, during which a person becomes capable of reproducing. Right before puberty, you begin developing attraction to the same/other sex.

Adolescence During puberty, increased sex hormones lead to: Primary sex characteristics: the reproductive organs (ovaries, uterus, and testes) and external genitals (vulva and penis). Secondary sex characteristics: the non-reproductive sexual characteristics.

Adolescence Secondary sex characteristics include: Developed breasts in females. Facial hair, Adam’s apple, and deepened voice in males. Pubic and underarm hair in both. Your brain becomes more efficient during adolescence and makes it a crucial time to learn as much as you can.

Adolescence Puberty!!!!

Adolescence Height changes are an early sign of puberty. Girls begin puberty sooner than boys, so they are initially taller than boys. After age 14, boys continue growing and overtake girls.

Adolescence Menarche: First menstrual period at about age 12½, marks female fertility. Spermarche: Male fertility is marked by ejaculation of semen with viable sperm at about age 14. Most men first ejaculate during a nocturnal emission.

Adolescence The timing of individual’s puberty is unpredictable. It could begin as early as 9 and as late as 16. Early maturation in girls can be more stressful. May suffer teasing or sexual harassment. Early maturing boys are: Stronger and more athletic Tend to be more popular Self-assured and more independent

Adolescence During adolescence, you develop the ability to reason! You start wondering what others are thinking of you. (Start of peer pressure???) Adolescence also think about truth and justice, ideals and political causes, as well as God and your purpose in the world.

Adolescence A major part of adolescence is to discerning right from wrong, or morality. Lawrence Kohlberg (1927 – 1987) University of Chicago Theory of Stages of Moral Development Contracted a parasitic infection in Belize which caused extreme pain. Committed suicide by walking into an icy Boston Harbor.

Theories of Moral Development Kohlberg asked boys, male adolescents, and men how they would solve hypothetical moral problems. e.g. Heinz’s Dilemma, Trolley Problem… What would you do? (Videos)

Theories of Moral Development He suggested three basic levels of moral development consisting of two stages each. Preconventional Level: Stage 1: avoid punishment, obey authority Stage 2: further self-interests, gain reward

Theories of Moral Development Conventional Level: most teenagers and adults are at this level. Stage 3: conform, live up to expectations of others Stage 4: maintain law and order, do your duty

Theories of Moral Development Postconventional Level: reached by only some people. Stage 5: social contract, to promote society’s welfare Stage 6: to promote justice

Kohlberg’s theory form a moral ladder.

Theories of Moral Development People in individualistic societies are more likely to reach Kohlberg’s postconventional level. Carol Gilligan criticized Kohlberg’s study because it focused only on males and women rarely reach Kohlberg’s highest stage. She said women follow an ethic of care rather than justice.

Theories of Moral Development Moral feeling: People feel disgust when seeing people doing degrading or subhuman acts. We turn away from choosing an action because it feels awful. Would you kill one person to save five by flipping a switch? What if you had to use a knife? Or kill a child?

Theories of Moral Development Moral feeling: People feel elevation when seeing people showing exceptional generosity, compassion, or courage. The good feeling you get when you do something good, give to charity, or help someone in need. Help an elderly woman shovel snow and you will get this feeling!

Moral Action Morality involves DOING the right thing. Those who learn empathy and delay gratification become more socially responsible, academically successful, and productive. This is the idea behind service learning! (GRAD REQUIREMENT!)

Erik Erikson 1902 – 1994 German psychologist known for his Theory of Psychosocial Development. Coined the phrase “identity crisis”. Believed that each stage in life has its own psychosocial task, a crisis that needs resolution.

Theory of Psychosocial Development His theory of psychosocial development identifies 8 stages during which we face an important issue or crisis. How we resolve each crisis shapes our personality and affects our relationships with others. Erikson’s theory most accurately describes development in individualistic societies.

Stage 1: Trust vs. Mistrust (0-1) Parents must provide a safe, consistent, and loving environment for children to leave this stage healthily with a strong trust that others care and will always be there for them. Mistrust, based on inconsistent, cold, or abusive situations, prevents children from leaving this stage ready to form lasting and close relationships in the future.

Stage 2: Autonomy vs. Shame/Doubt (1-2) The child needs to develop self- control and do things for themselves. Children who are encouraged to try new skills develop autonomy. Those who are ridiculed or overprotected may doubt their abilities and feel ashamed of their actions.

Stage 3: Initiative vs. Guilt (3-5) Children need to learn to make plans and carry out tasks through play, asking questions, making choices, and using their imaginations to develop initiative. If they are severely criticized, discouraged from asking questions, not permitted to make choices, or prevented from playing, children feel guilty.

Stage 4: Industry vs. Inferiority (6 – Puberty) Children need to be positively reinforced for productive activities in order to develop a healthy self- concept and sense of industry. If children’s efforts are considered inadequate, feelings of social or mental inferiority in this stage can carry over to a poor self-concept in the future.

Stage 5: Identity vs. Role Confusion (Teen Years – 20) “Who am I?” is the major task, which involves building a consistent identity, a unified sense of self. Failure of teens to achieve a sense of identity results in role confusion and uncertainty about who they are and where they are going.

Stage 6: Intimacy vs. Isolation (20s – 40s) Intimacy involves deeply caring about others and sharing meaningful experiences with them, especially a life partner. Without intimacy, people feel alone and uncared for in life (isolation).

Stage 7: Generativity vs. Stagnation (40s – 60s) Adults need to express their caring about the next and future generations by guiding or mentoring others, or producing creative work that enriches the lives of others. Failure can lead to stagnation and preoccupation with one’s own needs and comforts.

Stage 8: Integrity vs. Despair (60s +) Those who look back at their lives with satisfaction that they have lived their lives will develop a sense of wholeness and integrity. Those in despair look back with regret and disappointment in the lives they’ve led.

Parent and Peer Influences Adolescents seek their own identity and thus parent-child conflicts become more intense. Positive parental relationships lead to positive relations with peers. Misbehaving teens often have tense parental relationships. Parents have more influence in areas of religion, education, and career choices.

Emerging Adulthood Time between 18 – mid twenties. Many young people attend college or work but continue to depend on parents for shelter and financial support. Not quite an adult, but our of adolescence.