Social Development, Identity formation, and Challenges in Adolescence

1. Social Development, Identity formation, and Challenges in Adolescence 11.2, 11.3, 11.4

2. Terms to Know for 11.2 • Cliques- peer groups of 5 to 10 people who spend a great deal of time with one another, sharing activities and confidences. • Crowds- larger groups of people who do not spend as much time together but share attitudes and group identity. • Peer Pressure- pressure from friends to conform to their goals, attitudes, and behavior

3. Storm and Stress Sturm and Drang Biology and Adolescence • Research suggests that hormonal changes of adolescence affect activity levels, mood swings, and aggressive tendencies of many adolescents. • However, contemporary studies suggest that cultural and social influences may have more of an effect on adolescent behavior than hormones do. Psychology and Adolescence • Psychologically, adolescence ends when people become adults and take on adult responsibilities. • How long adolescence lasts varies with each individual. • Most teenagers face the many challenges of adolescence and cope with them successfully.

4. Relationships with Parents The Quest for Independence • The adolescent quest for independence from parents may result in conflicts and less time spent with family, greater emotional attachment to people outside the family, and more activities outside the home. A Lasting Bond • Adolescents who feel close to their parents tend to show greater self-reliance and independence than those who are distant from their parents. • Parents and adolescents usually share similar views. • Adolescents tend to interact with their mothers more than with their fathers.

5. Relationships with Peers Adolescent Friendships • Friendship is a very important part of adolescence. • Adolescents value loyalty as a key aspect of friendship. • Adolescents usually choose friends who are similar to themselves in age, background, educational goals, and attitudes toward drinking, drug use, and sexual activity. Cliques and Crowds • Cliques are peer groups of 5 to 10 people who spend a great deal of time together. • Larger groups of people who do not spend as much time together but share attitudes and group identity are called crowds.

6. Relationships with Peers, cont’d Peer Influences • Parental and peer influences often coincide. • Nevertheless, adolescents are influenced by their parents and peers in different ways. • Peer pressure increases in middle adolescence and then decreases after the age of 17. Dating and Romantic Relationships • In younger adolescents, dating relationships tend to be casual and short-lived. • In later adolescence, relationships tend to be more stable and committed.

7. Terms to Know for 11.3 • Identity- who you are and what you stand for (your values) • Identity achievement- at stage in identity development in which a person has committed to an occupational direction and made decisions about important life questions • Identity crisis- a period of inner conflict during which one examines one’s values and makes decisions about one’s life direction • Identity diffusion- the constant search for meaning and identity without committing oneself to a set of personal beliefs or an occupational path • Identity foreclosure- the act of making a commitment based on other’s values in order to avoid an identity crisis • Identity moratorium- a period of time in the development of identity in which a person delays making a decision about important issues but actively explores various alternatives • Identity status- according to Marcia, one of four reaction patters or processes in the development of identity during adolescence.

8. Identity Development • Psychologist Erik Erikson maintained that the main task of the adolescent stage is the search for identity. • Erikson believed the task is accomplished by choosing and developing a commitment to a particular role or occupation in life. • Adolescents may experiment with different values, beliefs, roles, and relationships. • Adolescent identity is achieved when different “selves” are brought together into a unified sense of self. • An identity crisis is a key aspect of adolescent identity development. • An identity crisis is a turning point in a person’s development when the person examines his or her values and makes or changes decisions about life roles.

9. Identity Status Identity Moratorium • Adolescents experiencing the identity status known as identity moratorium delay making commitments about important questions. Identity Diffusion • Adolescents in identity diffusion seem to be constantly searching for meaning in life because they have not committed themselves to a set of personal beliefs or an occupational path. Identity Foreclosure • To avoid an identity crisis, adolescents in the identity foreclosure category make a commitment that forecloses, or shuts out, other possibilities. Identity Achievement • Adolescents in the identity achievement category have coped with crises, explored options, committed themselves to occupational directions, and made decisions about key life questions.

10. Gender and Ethnicity in Identity Formation Gender and Identity Formation • Research shows that female adolescents are now more apt to approach identity formation like male adolescents. • Female adolescents do, however, express more concern about the challenge of balancing work life and family life. Ethnicity and Identity Formation • Identity formation is often more complicated for adolescents from ethnic minority groups. • Prejudice and discrimination can be contributing factors.

11. Cultural Diversity and Psychology Rites of Passage • A rite of passage marks a person’s entrance into a new stage of life. These ceremonies include baptisms, graduations, and marriages. For many people around the world, various rites such as school graduations and weddings signify the end of one period of life and the beginning of another. • Most rites of passage have three stages: a separation stage, a transitional stage, and a completion stage. • Graduation ceremonies are an example of a rite of passage in which individuals participate as a group. • The quinceañerais an example of a rite of passage for Hispanic girls. • Jewish adolescents enter into the adult religious community with bar mitzvahs and bat mitzvahs. • Genpuku was an ancient rite of passage in Japan. Poy Sang Long is a rite of passage among the Shan people of Myanmar and Thailand.

12. A Difficult Time • Adolescence can be a difficult time for some teens. • Challenges of adolescence can include: • School problems • Family problems • Loneliness • Feelings of low self-esteem • Concerns about the future • Eating disorders • Alcohol abuse • Drug abuse

13. Eating Disorders Anorexia Nervosa • Anorexia nervosa: Eating disorder characterized by self-starvation and a distorted body image • In the United States, typically affects young white women of higher socioeconomic status Origins of Anorexia and Bulimia • Influenced by cultural and social aspects, such as the need to conform to a feminine ideal and a family history of eating disorders Bulimia Nervosa • Bulimia nervosa: Recurrent cycles of binge eating followed by dramatic measures to eliminate food • Great majority of sufferers are female Treatment • Includes counseling, treatment programs, and monitoring

15. Links for videos on Anorexia and Bulimia • Manaker’s video: https://youtu.be/nACOo1EtP5Y • Harriet Manaker TED Talk: https://youtu.be/TEuN1OrEFkQ • Glennon Doyle Melton TED Talk: https://youtu.be/NHHPNMIK-fY • Dave Chawner TED Talk: https://youtu.be/lqbL-UhhyPk • Elisabeth Huh TED Talk: https://youtu.be/GxI0ewBJdMo

16. Substance Abuse Prevalence of Substance Abuse • Use of drugs and cigarettes among teenagers increased during the 1990s. • The use of cigarettes and marijuana declined from 2001 to 2007. • Peer recommendation, parental use, and stress are among the reasons adolescents try alcohol and other substances. Treatment • Treatment includes detoxification and counseling therapy. Drug Prevention • Most school drug-prevention programs are aimed at stopping the use of alcohol, cigarettes, and marijuana. • Research on the effectiveness of prevention programs shows mixed results.

18. Sexuality • Many adolescents struggle with issues of how and when to express their sexual feelings. • But they receive mixed messages from their bodies to “go ahead” and at the same time advice from parents and other adults advising against early sexual relationships. • The media is also a source of messages about sexual issues. • About 7.2 percent of American girls between the ages of 15 and 17 become pregnant each year. • Teenage pregnancies can be difficult for adolescent mothers. • Half of all adolescent mothers quit school and go on welfare. • Teen mothers are more likely to give birth to premature babies and babies who are below average in weight.

20. Crime and Avoiding Problems • The term juvenile delinquency refers to many illegal activities committed by children or adolescents. • The most extreme acts include robbery, rape, and homicide. Less serious offenses are known as: • status offenses, which are illegal only when committed by minors. • petty offense is usually punishable by a fine or an extremely short period of imprisonment. • Misdemeanors are punishable by imprisonment of one year or less. Felonies are more serious crimes that are punishable by more than one year of imprisonment.

21. Crime and Avoiding Problems, cont’d • Research shows that low income and mothers working outside the home are not factors that contribute to juvenile delinquency. • Facts that contribute to juvenile delinquency include • Low self-esteem, feelings of alienation and estrangement • Behavior problems that began early • Lack of affection, lax discipline, use of severe physical punishment in the home • Academic issues, peer pressure, family history of criminal behavior