Physical, Sexual, Personal, and Social Development Adolescent Behavior

Bell Ringer What does it take in order for boys to be labeled as men and girls to be labeled as women? Are we accepting of individuals who engage in atypical activities for their gender?

Objectives Describe the physical changes that characterize adolescence. Describe research related to the sexual attitudes and roles of adolescents.

Theories of Adolescence Rite of Passage – ceremony admitted into new status, adulthood Graduation, bat mitzvahs, weddings G. Stanley Hall – “beast to human” stage Margaret Mead – role of culture Robert Havighurst – accepting looks, relations, emotionally/economically independent Development depends on adjustment to life’s situations

Physical Development and Influence on Behavior Girls During Puberty Boys During Puberty Experience of growth spurts (9-13) Menarche experienced between 12-13 y.o. (sexual maturity) Hypothalamus  pituitary (estrogen)  ovaries Development of secondary sexual characteristics Hips widen Experience growth spurt (13-14) Spermarche experienced between 12- 13 y.o. Hypothalamus  pituitary (testosterone)  testes Development of secondary sexual characteristics Facial hair, muscles, change in voice

Reactions to Growth Asynchrony = uneven growth Better informed about the issues Strong correlation to negative body image and depression Culture’s body ideal Reactions to maturing late/early, self-fulfilling prophecy Boys = leaders/self-confident (early), rebel (late) Girls = embarrassed (early), good relationships (late)

Sexual Development Attitudes impact the way we feel about it Teen birthrate becomes an issue Fear of diseases and AIDS impact sexual attitudes Choosing abstinence is the best route Prevent pregnancies/disease Orientation (Module 53) Environment Biology

Review What are some of the physical changes that take place during adolescence?

Physical, Sexual, Personal, and Social Development Adolescent Behavior

Bell Ringer Suppose that from this moment on, every human baby is born with only one leg. What would have to change?

Activity: Saved By The Bell – Jessie’s Song While viewing this Saved By The Bell episode, identify the problem that the character(s) are facing and how in the toughest times their peers help them get through it. What role do friends have in this episode? What problems are being faced? How do they deal with the problems?

Objectives Describe the cognitive and ideological changes that characterize adolescence. Outline the process by which adolescents find a personal identity. Describe the role of family and peers during adolescence. Discuss difficulties that some adolescents encounter.

Cognitive Development Identity and self-esteem depend on friends Formal operation stage (Piaget) and abstract thinking occur Introspection Rationalization Change in thinking = personality/interactions David Elkind – results of immaturity

Moral Development Lawrence Kohlberg Many people never get past stage 4 Law and Order Formal thought does not guarantee moral development

Identity Development Achieving a sense of self comes from identity crisis Erik Erikson = identity formation vs. identity confusion Express self in socially acceptable way Role confusion is normal Development is continuous Albert Bandura – social learning theory

The Role of Family v. Peers Behavior is impacted by the marriage relationship Learn how to become independent Parents struggle with letting go Schools have recognizable groups – cliques Fulfills a need for closeness with others Establish identity Drawback = conformity Peers help in transition stage

Difficulties During Adolescence Adjusting to adolescence can be difficult Experience depression Eating disorders Anorexia nervosa – not eating, fear of gaining weight Bulimia nervosa – binge eating, vomiting

Gender Roles Gender identity – biological makeup Gender role – what society considers appropriate for each sex Men = dominant, competitive, emotionally reserved Women = submissive, cooperative, and emotionally responsive Gender stereotypes – prejudiced opinions on how someone should behave Androgynous – taking on multiple roles Is this acceptable in society today?

Gender Differences WOMEN MEN Personality: Personality: Cognition: Self-doubt, verbal aggression, hedges in speech, talk more when they have power in a relationship Cognition: Equal math skills until high school, equal verbal skills MEN Personality: Confident, physically aggressive, talk more by interrupting Cognition: Superior problem solving skills, better on tests with spatial ability Note: Studies fail to reflect individual motivations, past history and ambitions.

Origins of Gender Differences Biological Theory – result of men and women adopting behaviors to survive Psychoanalytical – identifying with the parent of the same sex Social Learning – imitating models, rewards Cognitive-Developmental – gained through the environment, thinking Gender schema – mental representation of behavior Changing gender roles