Infancy to Adulthood

Last term we finished on gender GENDER refers to the psychological meaning of being male or female, which is influenced by learning. GENDER SCHEMAS are mental representations that associate psychological characteristics with each sex. GENDER SOCIALISATION refers to how we are shaped by our culture as to the role of male and female gender (reward and punishment by peers). Text book pages 63 – 64.

This week…. Adolescent development What the stage theorists say Physical development and consequences Identity formation

Today’s objectives Be able to clearly identify what level of development stage theorists claim adolescents to be operating at. To consider conflicting views on adolescents. To know what physical developments occur during puberty. To evaluate advantages/disadvantages of early onset of puberty.

Adolescent development What do the stage theorists say? Piaget Kohlberg Erikson Freud Write down where these theorists say adolescents are in terms of their development…..

Adolescent development What do the stage theorists say? Piaget Formal operations: potential for mature moral reasoning. Kohlberg Conventional: upholding social order (some may reach post-conventional). Erikson Identity vs role confusion: developing a sense of self. Freud Genital stage: growing independence from parents and development of sexuality.

Conflicting views of adolescence Hall (1904) – time of “storm and stress.” Write this down… Macfarlane (1964). Need for peer approval Sense of life direction in flux Alienation from parents at its deepest

Conflicting views of adolescence Write this down… Coleman (1980) Vitality without the cares of adulthood Rewarding friendships Heightened idealism The sense of possibilities Which one do you identify with?

Conflicting views of adolescence Conflict model: Argues that adolescents need to go through a period of crisis to separate themselves psychologically from their parents and carve out their own identity. Studies do show that adolescents experience a wider range of moods over a shorter period of time. Adulthood sees an increase in diligence, self-control and congeniality.

Conflicting views of adolescence Continuity model: Argues that adolescence is not a turbulent period but is essentially continuous with childhood and adulthood. Supporting research finds that roughly 80% of adolescents show no signs of severe “storm and stress”

Puberty Write this down… Definition: The early adolescent period of rapid growth and sexual maturation.

Puberty Physical development Primary sex characteristics Growth of reproductive organs (penis and testes) Secondary sex characteristics Facial hair Pubic and underarm hair Voice deepens Growth spurt as much as 5 inches a year.

Puberty Physical development Primary sex characteristics Growth of reproductive organs Secondary sex characteristics Pubic and underarm hair Enlargement of breasts and hips Growth spurt as much as 3 inches a year.

Puberty Average age for girls is 11. Average age for boys is 13. Can start as early as 9 or as late as 16. Consider the psychological consequences of when your development occurs…

Puberty Is early maturation an advantage or disadvantage? In terms of advantage or disadvantage, is it the same for boys and girls?

Puberty BOYS (Jones 1950s) Advantage GIRLS (Peterson 1987) Tend to be more popular Stronger and athletic More self-assured and independent More sociable then their less developed peers GIRLS (Peterson 1987) Disadvantage Early development may bring teasing from peers Embarrassment could lower self-confidence May lead to mixing with older group of teenagers

Adolescence and increase in gender difference Boys tend to overestimate their academic ability Girls tend to underestimate their academic ability Boys body satisfaction increases at puberty Girls body satisfaction decreases at puberty in Western cultures

Today’s objectives – did we make it? Be able to clearly identify what level of development stage theorists claim adolescents to be operating at. To consider conflicting views on adolescents. To know what physical developments occur during puberty. To evaluate advantages/disadvantages of early onset of puberty.