1. Lecture Overheads for developmental psychology, ps 241, Boston University Professor Catherine L Harris, 2004

4. Must Adolescence be a period of storm and stress? n Biological Perspective –The hormonal changes accompanying puberty cause emotional distress n Environmental-Learning Perspective –New social demands lead to emotional conflict, turbulence, rebellion -- but society can minimize these

5. More views... n Interactionist: –The combined biological and social changes are jointly so powerful that puberty is truly a new stage

6. Cultural-context: There are multiple shapers of the turbulence of puberty In industrialized societies, there is a large gap between onset of physical maturity and the attainment of adult status n Early physical maturation (age 11-12 rather than 16-17) n Years of training/education required for technological society

7. Additional Stressors n Wide variability in rate of physical maturation n New cognitive abilities -- introspection and self-analysis n Mixed-message from adult societies (parents eager for teens to behave responsibly; but withhold adult privileges)