ADOLESCENT DEVELOPMENT

I. Continuity of issues, tasks (all life stages)

developing trust

establishing autonomy

fashioning expanded sense of self

acquiring competence

II. Is adolescence a stormy time?

early adolescence as a "subphase"

few clashes between parents, young people over basic values

III. Adolescent identity

Erik Erikson’s 8 stages of lifespan "psycho-social" model

Childhood and Society; Identity and Adolescence

emphasized identity formation process

importance of identity crisis

importance of others: recognition & confirmation

James Marcia (1980) extended Erikson's work

interview study identified two factors:

has person had identity crisis?

commitment (adoption of a sexual orientation, values,

vocational direction)

model describes 4 identity statuses (NOT stages):

foreclosure, diffusion, moratorium, achievement

IV. Factors aiding identity formation

cognitive development, (Piaget’s "formal operations" construct)

able to reflect on self

can see a range of alternatives

sees self in past, present, future; sees self in multiple roles

V. Factors hampering identity formation

rapidly changing body

emerging sex drives

de-identification with caregivers -- sees human weaknesses

VI. Adolescent egocentrism

self-absorption, self-consciousness (primping)

mentally is on-stage, a "star": imaginary audience (peaks 14-15)

adoles. egocentrism parallels preschooler's centration

VII. Emotional development

self-regulation of emotion important theme

experimentation with management of emotion

music, art appreciation may intensify

reclusiveness not unusual, privacy needs

believes self to be unique


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Revised 2/12/03 by jka.