1. Physical, Sexual, Personal, and Social Development
Adolescent Behavior

2. 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?

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

4. 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

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

6. 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)

7. 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

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

9. Physical, Sexual, Personal, and Social Development
Adolescent Behavior

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

11. 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?

12. 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.

13. 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

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

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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?

19. 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.

20. 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