The Self: Development During Adolescence

1. The Self: Development During Adolescence Culture and the Self The Self Concept Self Esteem The Emotional Self Identity The Alone Self

2. Answer the following: 1. I am absolutely certain that the following characteristics define me now and always will: 2. The way I came to know these things about myself is (events, relationships, experiences): 3. I am still working to discover the following about myself: 4. In order to figure out the answers to #3, I think I will have to:

3. Culture and Self Development Individualistic Promote self-examination and change Collectivistic Promote conformity, similarity Results in different types of self-concepts

4. Self-Concept – (SC) From concrete, external characteristics to internal Actual selves Possible selves Possible includes Ideal and Feared self Carl Rogers’ congruent and incongruent states Rates of depression peak in mid-adolescence Similar to Murray Bowen’s solid and pseudo self SC becomes more complex Traits are influenced by contexts False selves to their benefit

5. Self-Esteem Individualistic cultures Asian cultures e.g., Japan Dip in SE around puberty Peer pressure – relational aggression – sarcasm and ridicule Focus on physical appearance Different paths Baseline and Barometric Self-Esteem

6. Mostly influenced by context “Beeper” studies The company you keep Susan Harter – domains of self-competence Physical appearance Influences on SE Acceptance and approval by family and close friends Love and encouragement Teacher approval, school success SE rises in emerging adulthood – many challenges are in the past, person has more control and responsibility

7. The Emotional Self Emotional vs Rational brain More negative moods Amygdala vs frontal lobes

8. Gender and the Emotional Self Carol Gilligan, Mary Pipher – a different voice US culture devalues assertiveness in females Succumb to this social pressure Susan Harter - hyperfeminine girls

9. Solid Self & Pseudo Self Murray Bowen Solid - “real” or core self Pseudo - false, or different “selves”

10. Solid Pseudo

11. Erik Erikson - Identity Who you are, where you are going? Childhood and Society 1950 Crises – challenges – hurdles – expectations Identity vs confusion Intimacy vs Isolation

12. Identity Statuses Negative identity – the rebel Diffusion – unsure, no search (later psychological problems) Foreclosure – chose too early, too narrow (conform, conventionality) Moratorium – time out, search Achievement – having searched, knowing one’s self - more likely to be self-directed, cooperative, good problem-solvers

13. Gender and Identity Females tend to develop intimacy skills earlier Males – identity Ethnic identity Assimilation (adopting new culture) Marginality (apart from old and new) Separation (rejecting new) Biculturalism (a part of old and new) Global – hybrid identity – merging local identity with elements of global culture

14. The Self, Alone Teens spend ¼ of their time Self-reflection Mood management VERY high % of time alone – indicates problems (loner) Social vs emotional loneliness – not enough friends vs no real close friends Greatest loneliness – late adolescence/early adulthood – coincides with Erikson’s intimacy stage – awareness of need for connection