© 2009 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Slide 1 John W. Santrock Socioemotional Development in Adolescence 16

© 2009 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Slide 2 Socioemotional Development in Adolescence What Characterizes Emotional and Personality Development in Adolescence? What Is the Nature of Parent-Adolescent Relationships? What Aspects of Peer Relationships Are Important in Adolescence? Why Is Culture an Important Context for Adolescent Development? What Are Some Socioemotional Problems in Adolescence?

© 2009 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Slide 3 Self-Esteem Overall way we evaluate ourselves; self- image or self-worth –Unclear how much self-esteem changes during adolescence and gender differences Differences and changes may be overstated Girls’ self-esteem more likely to decline some Appears linked to family relationships What Characterizes Emotional and Personality Development in Adolescence?

© 2009 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Slide 4 Self-Esteem Adolescents’ self-images –Psychological self –Social self –Coping self –Familial self –Sexual self Gender differences –Boys consistently have higher self-images What Characterizes Emotional and Personality Development in Adolescence?

© 2009 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Slide 5 Identity A self-portrait of many pieces; a synthesis of: –Physical, cognitive, social, emotional –Ethnicity, sexual orientation, lifestyle habits, and personality traits A lengthy, complex, lifelong process What Characterizes Emotional and Personality Development in Adolescence?

© 2009 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Slide 6 Identity Erickson’s view –Believed to be a key aspect of adolescent development –5th stage: Identity vs. identity confusion Confusion takes 2 forms: –Self-isolation or lost in the crowd –Identity search aided by psychosocial moratorium – transition, exploratory time What Characterizes Emotional and Personality Development in Adolescence?

© 2009 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Slide 7 Identity Marcia’s view –Erikson’s theory has 4 identity statuses –Individuals classified by existence or extent of crisis or commitment Crisis: period for exploring alternatives Commitment: personal investment in identity What Characterizes Emotional and Personality Development in Adolescence?

© 2009 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Slide 8 Marcia’s Identity Statuses Fig What Characterizes Emotional and Personality Development in Adolescence?

© 2009 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Slide 9 Identity Family atmosphere influences identity –Parenting styles Democratic, autocratic, permissive –Individuality: two dimensions Self-expression Separateness –Connectedness: two dimensions Mutuality Permeability What Characterizes Emotional and Personality Development in Adolescence?

© 2009 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Slide 10 Identity Ethnic identity –Sense of membership in ethnic group; also attitudes and feelings related to the group –Influenced by sociocultural contexts –Indicators of identity often differ among generations of immigrants –Existing environmental social factors have impact such as crime and unemployment What Characterizes Emotional and Personality Development in Adolescence?

© 2009 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Slide 11 Identity Recent research –Ethnic identity linked to higher school involvement and lower aggression –Strong ethnic identity linked to higher self- esteem in minority youth –Strength of 9th graders’ ethnic identity is better predictor of academic success What Characterizes Emotional and Personality Development in Adolescence?

© 2009 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Slide 12 Emotional Development More extreme emotions Emotions more changeable, fleeting –Moodiness is normal Decrease in overall happiness –Risk of depression –Pubertal changes and environmental experiences linked to negative emotions What Characterizes Emotional and Personality Development in Adolescence?

© 2009 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Slide 13 Self-Reported Extremes of Emotions by Adolescents, Mothers, and Fathers Fig Percent of self-reports Very happyVery unhappy Mothers Adolescents Fathers What Characterizes Emotional and Personality Development in Adolescence?

© 2009 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Slide 14 Autonomy and Attachment Conflict when adolescents push for autonomy Parents should relinquish control gradually, as adolescent is able to make reasonable decisions Gender and culture affect seeking and granting autonomy What Is the Nature of Parent-Adolescent Relationships?

© 2009 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Slide 15 Autonomy and Attachment Quality of attachment between parents and adolescent has some impact on involvement in problem/risky behaviors Balancing freedom and control –Parents play important role; monitor and guide, quality relationship and limitations What Is the Nature of Parent-Adolescent Relationships?

© 2009 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Slide 16 Parent-Adolescent Conflict Escalated conflict due to –Biological changes (puberty) –Cognitive changes (idealism, logic) –Social changes (independence, identity) –Maturational changes –Violated expectations What Is the Nature of Parent-Adolescent Relationships?

© 2009 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Slide 17 Parent-Adolescent Conflict Parents serve as support system as adolescents explore wider world –Most conflict is moderate –Some prolonged, unhealthy conflict associated with adolescent problems –Conflict is less in some cultures What Is the Nature of Parent-Adolescent Relationships?

© 2009 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Slide 18 What Is the Nature of Parent-Adolescent Relationships? Parent-Adolescent Conflict Effective strategies for parents Show warmth and respect, be patient Show sustained interest in children’s lives Recognize and adapt to child’s cognitive and socioemotional development Communicate expectations, high standards Show constructive problem solving; be role model

© 2009 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Slide 19 Friendships Dramatic increase in psychological importance and intimacy of close friends –Most motivated by popularity with peers –Peers help shape development; increased mutual dependency for many needs –Friends’ character and quality of friendship are important influences What Aspects of Peer Relationships Are Important in Adolescence?

© 2009 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Slide 20 Change in Self-Disclosing in Conversations What Aspects of Peer Relationships Are Important in Adolescence? Fig Self-disclosure in conversation score Grade 5th7th10thCollege2nd

© 2009 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Slide 21 Peer Groups Peer pressure can be negative; most is positive Adolescents conform more to peer standards than younger children do –Resist parental influence stronger in U.S. –Self-esteem can motivate membership What Aspects of Peer Relationships Are Important in Adolescence?

© 2009 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Slide 22 Peer Groups Cliques –Average 5 to 6 people –Usually same sex, age –Formed from shared activities, friendship Crowds –Larger than cliques, more informal –Usually formed based on reputation –May not spend much time together What Aspects of Peer Relationships Are Important in Adolescence?

© 2009 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Slide 23 Dating and Romantic Relationships Dating and developmental changes –Heterosexual romantic relationships –Early romantic involvement More social anxiety More school-related problems Special social concerns –Most youth find comfort in numbers What Aspects of Peer Relationships Are Important in Adolescence?

© 2009 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Slide 24 Age of Onset of Romantic Activity Fig Percent of students th6th7th8th9th10th11th12th5th Grade What Aspects of Peer Relationships Are Important in Adolescence?

© 2009 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Slide 25 Dating and Romantic Relationships Romantic relationships in gay and lesbian youth –Most same-sex activity is experimenting, often with peers Few same-sex romantic relationships occur; limited opportunities, social disapproval What Aspects of Peer Relationships Are Important in Adolescence?

© 2009 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Slide 26 Dating and Romantic Relationships Gender differences –First heterosexual dates highly scripted; males have more power than females What Aspects of Peer Relationships Are Important in Adolescence? Female scripts –Appearance –Enjoy date –React appropriately to male (scripted) behaviors Male scripts –Initiate date –Drive, open doors –Initiate physical contact (kissing, etc.)

© 2009 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Slide 27 Dating and Romantic Relationships Sociocultural contexts and dating –Asian Americans least likely involved in romantic relationships –Values, religious beliefs, traditions dictate age when dating begins Dating and adjustment –Dating/romantic relationships seem to reflect how well adjusted adolescents are What Aspects of Peer Relationships Are Important in Adolescence?

© 2009 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Slide 28 Cross-Culture Comparisons Traditions and changes –2/3 Asian Indian youth: arranged marriages –Philippines: girls work to support families –Middle East: sexes segregated –Kenya: street youth survive harsh lives – U.S.: longer wait until first marriages –Russia: marrying younger for legal sex Why Is Culture an Important Context for Adolescent Development?

© 2009 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Slide 29 Cross-Culture Comparisons Health –Adolescent health has improved in most areas; biggest threat is HIV Gender differences –Sexual expression; girls greatly restricted Family –U.S. families more mobile; some countries still have traditional, extensive kin networks Why Is Culture an Important Context for Adolescent Development?

© 2009 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Slide 30 Cross-Culture Comparisons School –Number attending school in developing countries is increasing but many part of world do not give education to all adolescents Peers –Some cultures emphasize stronger peer bonds, others severely restrict contact –Some peer groups are surrogate families Why Is Culture an Important Context for Adolescent Development?

© 2009 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Slide 31 Cross-Culture Comparisons Rites of passage –Ceremony that marks status transition; existing in cultural, religious, social groups –Most mark transition to adulthood –Some cultures: elaborate ceremonies, dramatic practices, shared hazards or secrets –Western culture: rites disappearing, sexual intercourse is rite of passage Why Is Culture an Important Context for Adolescent Development?

© 2009 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Slide 32 Ethnicity Immigration –Adjustment may be complicated –Assimilation: absorbed into dominant group –Pluralism: coexisting together Ethnicity and SES –Poverty affects minority life experiences; prejudice, discrimination, bias, and stress Why Is Culture an Important Context for Adolescent Development?

© 2009 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Slide 33 Juvenile Delinquency Juvenile delinquent: adolescent who breaks laws, engages in illegal behavior –Broad concept; higher risks for males Antecedents of delinquency –Authority conflict –Covert behaviors –Overt behaviors What Are Some Socioemotional Problems in Adolescence?

© 2009 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Slide 34 Juvenile Delinquency Causes of delinquency –Some characteristics of lower-class culture –Parenting and family characteristics –Existing social factors; neighborhood, school, and other contexts What Are Some Socioemotional Problems in Adolescence?

© 2009 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Slide 35 Juvenile Delinquency Youth Violence –Special concern in U.S.; gangs, drugs, and other criminal activities –School violence is national issue; weapons, injuries, and threats –Violent youth Mostly male, powerlessness feelings, anger –More violence in urban, poor areas What Are Some Socioemotional Problems in Adolescence?

© 2009 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Slide 36 Juvenile Delinquency Preventing or reducing youth violence –Recommit to raising children safely and effectively –Make prevention a reality –Greater support to schools –Effective partnership among families, schools, social services, community (agencies, organizations, groups) What Are Some Socioemotional Problems in Adolescence?

© 2009 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Slide 37 Depression and Suicide Depression –Females experience and express it more than males for various reasons –Family factors put some youth at risk –Peer relationships linked to depression –Romantic relationships increase risks –Onset in early adolescence linked to negative outcomes later What Are Some Socioemotional Problems in Adolescence?

© 2009 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Slide 38 Depression and Suicide Suicide –Rare in childhood, risks increase with age –Third leading cause of adolescent death; emerging adults at risk 3x more than adolescents (males 6x more than females) –Threats should be viewed seriously Gay males and lesbians at highest risk Females use pills, cut wrists Males use lethal means What Are Some Socioemotional Problems in Adolescence?

© 2009 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Slide 39 Depression and Suicide Risks linked to –Genetic factors –Depression; sense of hopelessness –Low self-esteem or high self-blame –friendships; associations with those likely to commit suicide What Are Some Socioemotional Problems in Adolescence?

© 2009 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Slide 40 Successful Prevention/ Intervention Programs Common components –Intensive individualized attention –Community-wide, multi-agency, collaborative approaches –Early identification and intervention Programs that merit attention –High scope and Fast Track What Are Some Socioemotional Problems in Adolescence?

© 2009 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Slide 41 The End 16