Adolescence Flashcards
(42 cards)
developmental tasks of adolescence
construction of an emancipated identity
construction of realistic ambitions and reasonable ideals
further development of a sexual identity
further development of a social identity
adolescence age
11-20 years
early - 11-14
middle - 15-17
late - 18-20
Harry Potter themes:
disenchantment and increasing attunement to reality
repudiation or endorsement of narcissistic soln to life’s difficulties
aggression and castration fantasies while growing into adult power
puberty
early adolescence
secondary sex characteristics
menarche/first ejaculation
sex drives, which are expressed through physical activity and masturbation
cognitive maturation and formation of personality
menarche
11-14
breast bud development occurs first
first ejaculation in boys
12-15 years
Tanner stages of sexual development
physical changes are usually marked by distinct stage of development
(SEE TABLE 2-1)
early adolescence - social
same-sex friends and group activities show-off qualities greater interests in privacy worries about being normal close friendships gain importance generally obedient to parents strong sensitivity to opinions of peers unlikely to seriously challenge parental authority
early adolescence - emotional
shyness, blushing, and modesty
moodiness
more likely to express feelings by action than by words
early adolescence - development
girls develop ahead of boys
experimentation with body
alterations in expected development may lead to psychological difficulties (ex: acne, weight, late breast development, large nipples)
middle adolescence
15-17 years
great interest in gender roles, body image, and popularity
heterosexual/homosexual crushes on unattainable person common
efforts to develop an identity by adopting current teen fashion
preference of spending time with peers can lead to family conflicts
risk taking behavior
risk taking behavior
readiness to challenge parental rules and feelings of omnipotence may result in risk-taking behavior
education about obvious short-term benefits rather than references to long-term consequences of behavior is more likely to decrease unwanted behavior
middle adolescence - sexuality
first sexual intercourse occurs on average at 16 years of age (by 19 most men and women have had sexual intercourse)
fewer than half of all sexually active teenagers do not use contraceptives (they think they will not get pregnant, lack of access, lack of education)
physicians counsel minors and provide them with contraceptives without parental knowledge or consent (sensitive subjects like sexuality and drug abuse, and physical appearance usually discussed without parents present)
late adolescence
18-20
older adolescents develops MORALS, ETHICS, and SELF-CONTROL, and a realistic appraisal of their own abilities
older adolescents become concerned with humanitarian issues and world problems
some adolescents develop the ability for abstract reasoning (FORMAL OPERATIONS)
formal operations
ability to think abstractly, delay gratification, and be future oriented
ability to use creativity to express their inner world
ability to think about thinking
late adolescence identity
IDENTITY CRISIS common
if not handled effectively, adolescents may experience ROLE CONFUSION
if role confusion develops, adolescent may display behavioral problems such as CRIMINALITY or an INTEREST IN CULTS
Erickson’s stage
Identity versus Role Diffusion
preoccupation w appearance
struggle to develop ego identity (sense of inner sameness and continuity)
group identity
danger of role confusion, doubts about sexual and vocational identity
must learn who they are and separate from their family and peer group
understanding one’s interests and abilities allows for the planning of the future
difficulty in this stage can result in adolescent becoming either a rebel or robot
identity crisis
normative process that occurs towards the end of adolescence
failure to negotiate this stage leads to role confusion or identity diffusion
failure to consolidate identity may manifest in:
- running away, criminal behavior, drug and alcohol abuse, sexual identity disorder and psychosis
late adolescence - sexuality
clear sexual identity
capacities for tender and sensual love
by 19, most men and women have had sexual intercourse
teenage pregnancy
in 2000, teenagers gave birth to approximately 470,000 infants (8,500 of those born to mothers under 15) and had 500,000 abortions
but, rate of teenagers becoming mothers is decreasing rapidly (by 9%, reaching a low of 34.3 births per 1,000 15-19 yo’s)
44% total drop from 1991 to 2010 (now fewest teenage mothers since 1946)
substance use
a teen who uses tobacco for more than a year has more than an 80% chance of becoming dependent on it
75% high school students have tried alcohol
- alcohol appears to damage teenage brain
40% teens have tried marijuana one or more times
binge drinking
up to 50% students met criteria for alcohol abuse disorder
surgeon general identified binge drinking in college age adolescents as a major health problem
UW Madison found 66% students were binge drinkers
teenagers at risk for developing serious alcohol and drug problems
family Hx of substance abuse
who are depressed
who have low self-esteem
who feel like they don’t fit in or are out of the mainstream
(peer substance use can also be a huge influence)
brain remodeling
axons become more myelinated dendrites extend synaptic pruning from rear to front corpus callosum thickens hippocampus strengthens links to frontal areas
