Adolescence

1. Adolescence Psychology

2. What challenges do adolescents face? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhUMRzXQUNs http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7taeh1djd8k&list=PL5bwhNzYxAXLdYk5kMgNF9CasB22OCZWN http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cV5xp_vAHI0 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WPeJxPtyaLI

3. Adolescence • Period of rapid change and challenges • Preadolescence: Puberty hormones kick in • Girls: 10-14 • Boys: 12-15 • Behavioral Changes: moody and rebellious • Teenage Angst: “no one understands me” • Sexual maturation begins

4. Adolescence • Adolescence: 15-18 • Become economically and emotionally independent • Young Adulthood: 18-20 • Accept new responsibilities, develop long term relationships, make life outside of family • Many cultures have “rites of passage” ceremonies • US: Confusion as adult rights and responsibilities come in spurts

5. Physical Changes • Adolescence: Emotional and physical growth comes in mismatched spurts • External Growth: Originates in hypothalamus, stimulating pituitary glands • Triggers growth hormones in thyroid, adrenal and sex glands • Girls grow earlier than boys • Body proportions and voices change

6. Internal Changes • Girls begin menstrual cycle • Boys begin producing sperm • Now physically capable of reproducing, but not mentally/emotionally prepared • Sex drive starts early, makes relationships more complex • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5i8rTeeDZE4

7. Coping with Physical Change • Acne: Normal due to hormones • Can cause low self-esteem, social anxiety • Rapid Growth: Girls and boys grow at different times • Can cause clumsiness/lack of coordination • Early/Late Development: Self conscious that they don’t fit in • Facial hair, height, and boobs • Teens want to fit in, being “different” can lead to teasing

8. Emotional Challenges • Sexual Maturation has emotional effects as well • Self-image often tied to the way teens cope with sex and relationships • Modern Society: More pressure to have sex • Media misconceptions • Sexual expression is more acceptable • Teens having sex earlier than ever before • Parents: Must model safe and appropriate behavior • Sheltering can lead child to blindly explore options

9. Sexual Maturation • High Divorce Rate: Increase in living together before marriage and premarital sex • Sometimes healthy way to increase intimacy in environment of mutual love and respect • Other times causes pressure, STDs and pregnancy • Sexual Education vs. Abstinence • Understand your body and risks • Physical burden of STDs and financial/emotional burden of baby and rushed marriages • To raise a child from birth to 18: at least $250,000 • Teen Pregnancy: US has highest rate in the world, 1 in 6 girls • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YHennhq1cMg

10. STDs AIDS: Fatal Herpes: Lifelong, very painful Chlamydia: Leads to infertility if not treated, becoming resistant to current treatments Syphilis: Brain damage, Fatal if not treated Genital Warts: Increased risk of cancer Guilt and embarrassment leads to people waiting too long to seek treatment or tell partners

11. Developmental Tasks • Accept the Reality of your Physical Appearance • http://www.upworthy.com/2-people-described-the-same-person-to-a-forensic-artist-and-this-is-what-happene • Achieve Impulse Control • Prepare for Economic Independence • Develop New Concept of Self • Achieve Emotional Independence • Cope with Peer Pressure

12. Generation Gap • Impulsive; don’t think of consequences • Many delight in shocking/challenging/ignoring their parents • Tight restrictions/disapproval often pushes them further • Wise parents: gradually increase trust and responsibility, reward them with more freedom • Peacefully discuss fair rules and expectations • Confusing messages: “you’re too young for that!” vs. “grow up!” • Teens: If you want to be treated like an adult, act like one

13. Adolescent Personality Types • Conventionalist: Feel most comfortable staying within legal/moral guidelines taught by parents/society • Rebellion may occur but is short lived • Find fun in extracurriculars, athletics, social activities • Idealists: See injustices in society and take a stand against them • Protest, volunteer, plan career in helping profession • Passion often influences conventionalists

14. Categorizing Adolescent Personality • Hedonists: Do anything to have fun • School/job/family take second priority • Consequences aren’t a concern • Often seeking new, more exciting experiences which can lead to dangerous activities such as drug use • Sociopath: Often bright/charming, but completely self-centered • Devoted to personal pleasure and seeking power • Lack conscience: Often betray family/friends or break the law

21. Personal Identity and Self Worth Most important task of adolescence is to achieve a clear sense of who you are and what you’re worth Determines success and satisfaction with your career, relationships, and life in general Adopt goals/values that will help you make good decisions Age, sex, race, family, school, and experiences will influence your identity development Failure to find yourself leads to an identity crisis

22. Erik Erikson (1902 – 1994): • Born in 1902 in Germany. • At the age of 25, was given a position teaching children at a school founded by Anna Freud in Vienna; began to study child psychoanalysis • Married at 27; then in 1933, took his wife and children and moved from Germany to Boston to escape Hitler. • In the United States, worked as a psychoanalyst; taught at universities, including Harvard; and conducted original research. Continued teaching until his death in 1994.

23. James Marcia: Ego-Identity Status is determined by: Exploration is determined by: ● gathering knowledge ● consideration of alternative possible identity elements ● desire to make an decision and find yourself Commitment is determined by: ● activity directed toward implementing the chosen identity path ● identification with significant others ● projection into one’s personal future ● resistance to being swayed

24. 4 possible identity statuses : ● Diffusion (low exploration, low commitment) - lack of commitment to any career - little or no urgency is felt - may demonstrate knowledge, but lack enthusiasm and hope; may be apathetic - Identity diffusion in the area of family vs. career priorities is more common in young adults. ● Foreclosure(low exploration, high commitment) - expresses a genuine commitment to one vocation without ever having seriously considered alternatives: this selection often made at an early age - activities and knowledge tend to be restricted to this (prematurely) chosen field - emotional tone is one of assurance - anticipates no conflict between the options of family and / or career; usually relies on a parent or older sibling as a model for choice of priorities in this domain

25. 4 possible identity statuses ●Moratorium/Delay (high exploration, no commitment yet) - simultaneously or sequentially selecting from among several alternatives - able to assess personal skills in relation to the needs of the job - anxiety probably more prevalent among older than younger adolescents - family and career roles important consideration ● Identity Achievement (high exploration, high commitment) - has successfully resolved the moratorium and is presently committed to the vocational alternative that feels most personally expressive - resists enticements toward “better” career options, although flexible statements are typically made - able to discuss the pros and cons of expected career as well as of those discarded - may continue to express anxiety if concerned about ability to implement choice successfully