CHAPTER 12 SOCIOEMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN ADOLESCENCE

Invention of Adolescence Adolescence did not exist until mid 19 th century. – Prior to that children viewed as miniature adults – Industrialization led to profound changes in work, schooling, and family life. – Job shortage during industrialization removed adolescents from the labor force. – Child protectionists – Many characteristics we take as inherent features of adolescence are new phenomena.

Video: Adolescence: Moral Development

Developing an Independent Identity Erikson’s theoretical framework – Identity versus identity diffusion – Identity crisis – Social context and identity development – Psychosocial moratorium

Developing an Independent Identity Determining identity status – Marcia – focuses on work, ideology, and relationships – Individuals rated on: Degree to which they have made commitments Degree to which they engaged in a sustained search in the process

Video: Identity Formation

Figure 12.1: Identity Status Categories as Defined by Exploration and Commitment

Video: Slang

Development of Ethnic Identity Integrating sense of ethnic identity into overall sense of personal identity important task of late adolescence Process similar to general process of identity Possibilities in dealing with ethnicity include assimilation, marginality, separation, and biculturalism Positive mental health of minority adolescents associated with strong and positive ethnic identity

Figure 12.2: African-American Students’ Reports of Race-Related Hassles

Changes in Self-Esteem Inconsistent research findings on changes during adolescence Changes in self-perception greatest in early adolescence, between ages 12 and 14. Experience higher self-consciousness

Figure 12.3: Changes in Self-Evaluations in Adolescence

Family Relationships in Adolescence Disequilibrium in relationships most likely around ages for boys and for girls Relationships with parents – Parents and children likely to perceive day-to-day experiences in very different ways. – In families with psychologically competent teens, interactions permit all to express autonomy and individuality while remaining attached and connected as family members. Relationships with siblings – Conflict increases in early adolescence – Positive sibling relationships contribute to psychological adjustment.

Peer Relationships in Adolescence Developments in peer relationships – Sharp increase in time spent with peers – Peer groups function more often without adult supervision. – Adolescents have more contact with opposite-sex friends. – Emergence of larger peer groups

Cliques – Small groups of between 2-12 individuals – Can be defined by common activities or friendship – Clique membership determined by orientation toward school, orientation toward the teen culture, and involvement in antisocial activity

Crowds – Membership based on reputation or stereotype – Purposes include to locate adolescents within social structure of the school, to channel adolescents into associations with some peers and away from others, and to provide contexts that reward certain lifestyles and discourage others

Video: Cliques, Crowds, and Conformity

Peer Relationships in Adolescence Responding to peer pressure – More likely to conform to peer pressure in short-term, day- to-day, and social matters – Primarily influenced by parents when comes to long-term issues, questions of values, religious beliefs, or ethics Conformity to peer pressure greater during early adolescence than later

Figure 12.4: Changes in Susceptibility to Parental and Peer Influence in Adolescence

Video: Peer and Domain Influences

Popularity and Rejection in Adolescent Peer Groups Social competence is main determinant of youngster’s popularity. – Adjust their behavior to maintain favored social standing when peer group norms change Unpopular adolescents – Overly aggressive – Withdrawn – Combination of aggressive and withdrawn

Sex Differences in Adolescent’s Friendships Intimacy – Girls list more friends than boys. – Girls more likely to mention intimacy as a defining aspect of close friendship. – Boys’ conflicts with friends briefer and over issues of power and control. – Girls’ conflicts are longer and about some form of betrayal. – Importance of intimacy continues to increase throughout early and middle adolescence.

Figure 12.5: Males’ and Females’ Reports of Friendship Quality

Video: Teen Gossip

Dating and Romantic Relationships Dating serves a recreational purpose – Average age to begin dating is – By 16, 90 percent of adolescents have had at least one date. – Dating can mean different things, including group activities, group dates, casually dating couples, serious involvement. Impact of dating – Early and intensive dating has stunting effect on psychosocial development. – Moderate dating after age 15 appears to be valuable. – Romance has powerful impact on emotional state.

Socioemotional Problems in Adolescence Occasional experimentation versus enduring patterns of dangerous or troublesome behavior Problems that have their origins and onset during adolescence versus those that have their roots in early periods of development Many problems are relatively transitory. Problem behaviors are virtually never a direct consequence of going through normative changes of adolescence itself.

Socioemotional Problems in Adolescence Externalizing problems – Life-course-persistent versus adolescence-limited delinquency Histories of aggressive and antisocial behavior Problems with self-regulation Score lower on intelligence and neuropsychological functioning tests Internalizing problems – Depression and puberty Diathesis -stress model Large sex differences in depression rates Suicide

Figure 12.6: The Age-Crime Curve

Figure 12.7: Age Differences in Suicidal Ideation