Bài giảng Human Development 2e - Chapter 7 Adolescence

Chapter 7AdolescenceAdolescence as a constructionAdolescence is the product of a complex, constructed ecology.It varies with culture, place, historical time and national economic development.Place offers a physical and social environment.It may involve cultural expectationsIt is where relationships with elders are constructed.Local traditions, laws, community are resources.These may also be restrictive.Age is an indicator rather than a determinant.Discourses of adolescenceAdolescence is not the same everywhere in the world.With the global culture, adolescents are becoming similar to each other.There is a need to appreciate facts that influence the construction of the meaning of adolescence.Effects of hormonal changesPubertyOnset is an average of two years earlier for girls than boys.It may be occurring somewhat earlier than previously.Onset is related to body weight. Puberty involves:development of reproductive system to maturitydevelopment of skeletal system.Development is controlled by endocrine system (hormones).Growth in skeletal system proceeds unevenly.Different parts of the body develop at different rates.The order of development seems to be constant.A socio-historical approachAdolescence became differentiated as a life stage in relation to workforce requirements.Family livelihoods counted on children's work.Industrialisation changed the way work was organised.It became illegal to employ young children.Training was needed as preparation for work.It brought the introduction of compulsory education.Adolescence as a transition period : a rite of passageMany cultures celebrate the transition from child to adult, based on the onset of puberty.In the dominant New Zealand culture markers of adult status include:driver's licencepaying full price for entry to public events21st birthday party (or is it 18, or 20?).Transition suggests a period of time rather than an event or marker of changed status.In New Zealand, there is no clear moment of passage.Youth as 'a problem'Media often shows youth through negative stereotypes.There are discourses of 'youth at risk'.Early researchers suggest adolescents are prone to antisocial behaviour.This has led to education programs.Physical changes at adolescenceBodily outcomes at adolescence are not predictable.New shape may have social implications.Tall and thin people may develop later.Shorter and more muscular people may develop earlier.Preoccupation with body image is not surprising.There are new body features for the young person.There is a social preoccupation with fatness and thinness.Raises questions about 'Who am I?'Body image: eating and dietingBody image is an important concept for understanding the psychology of adolescents.Obsessions with dieting can lead to anorexia nervosa.Body appearance and size may be influenced by family and cultural norms.Identity formationBecoming your own 'self' is at the heart of identity theorising.James Marcia: four different identity statuses, based on two continua (exploration and commitment)Identity achievementMoratorium Foreclosure DiffusionPsychosocial tasks at adolescenceErik Erikson's psychosocial taskIdentity vs role confusionAnna Freud: the absence of 'storm and stress' at this time is itself abnormal.Is this claim justified?What do these ideas suggest about how to support adolescents?Questions for considerationIs the identity formed in adolescence fixed for life?Do you have only one identity?What is the value of identity status?Do you believe that identity is a product of your biological make-up?To what extent is your identity determined?Is identity an internal psychological quality?To what extent is identity conferred externally by your culture?Ethnic identityThe identity theories of Erikson and Marcia are grounded in euro-western ideas.Ethnic identification extends beyond group membership.Indigenous (Maori) and non-indigenous (e.g. Pacific) have different ways of describing identityEthnic identityThe identity theories of Erikson and Marcia are grounded in euro-western ideas.Ethnic identification extends beyond group membership.Indigenous (Māori) and non-indigenous (e.g. Pacific) have different ways of describing identity.Development of minority identityI. Little reflection on the issueII. Questioning of one's place in societyIII. Period of investigation of rootsIV. Resistance to the dominant cultureV. Redefinition: strong identification with minorityVI. Pride in one's minority identity and acceptance of difference in others (see Phinney, 1989)Critical perspectives on Erikson's theoryErikson's theory tends to reflect a male path through adulthood.Today many women do not form their identities based on their relationship with a man (as Erikson proposed).Identity as individualistic is not universal for all cultures in the progression to adulthood.Development of a sexual identityIndividualisation and autonomy are gendered.Males tend to have more possibilities for both.Autonomy is often thought to be a marker of adult status.In households where income is shared, both lose some autonomy.Commitment to others tends to limit autonomy.Some theorists have argued that female trajectories are different.Some women are delaying identity foreclosure until after commitments to life partner and children.Paid work status may be seen as less central to identity.Cognitive development The most advance stage: formal operations (Piaget)The ability to think hypotheticallyLogical operationsImagining the futureImaginary audience (Elkind)Adolescent egocentrismNegative perceptions of risk-taking at adolescenceBrain development at adolescenceRecent medical research has drawn attention to the development of the brain at adolescence.Some suggest that adolescent brains are not capable of responsible decision-making.Based on the finding that adolescents take longer to weigh up the risk of doing something risky.This is a problematic over-generalisation. Changes in this function are to be expected as a result of experience and learning. Changes in ways of thinking about risk may be ongoing through adulthood.Moral development Kohlberg's theory has six stages and is based on Piaget's ideas about cognitive development.Level two: conventional moralityStage 3: Nice girl, good boy, wants approvalStage 4: We behave well because it's the lawLevel three: principled moralityStage 5: Social contract orientation—understanding the need for common lawsStage 6: Universal ethical principles—self-chosen ethical principlesAdolescents experiment with these positions, e.g. vegetarianism, political party membership.