chapter 9: autonomy

define emotional autonomy

gaining emotional independence in relationships with others, especially parents

define behavioral autonomy

making independent decisions and following through on them

define cognitive (value) autonomy

developing an independent set of beliefs and principles, resisting peer and parental pressures

what is individuation

• progressive sharpening of your sense of being an autonomous, independent person

• process begins during infancy

• acceptance of responsibility for choices and actions

how does individuation change in adolescence

• biological changes

  • changes in appearance provoke changes in how teens view self and parents view them

• cognitive & social changes

  • observation of peer’s individuation

  • perspective-taking may increase curiosity about others

• influence of parenting practices

  • parenting styles influence developing autonomy and individuation

how are different parenting styles related to the development of emotional autonomy

• healthy individuation is fostered by close family relationships

  • individuation does not equal severing ties with family

• individuation is not a bad thing

  • it increases closeness between parents and teens

• strained family relationships appear to be associated with a lack of autonomy during adolescence

what are three areas in which we see changes in behavioral autonomy in adolescence

• better perspective-taking

  • better at determining weight of information provided by someone else

  • better ability to pick and choose appropriate sources for advice

• better at considering risks and benefits associated with decisions

• more likely to seek peers for advice on day to day things

• more likely to seek parents for advice on long-term things

in what areas do parents have more influence

long-term things

• education

• job advice

in what areas are peers more influential

day-to-day things

• fashion

• leisure activities

what kind of parenting is associated with adolescents’ susceptibility to positive peer pressure

authoritative parenting

do adolescents whose parents tend to limit their autonomy tend to be more oriented toward their peers or their family

peers

describe Kohlberg’s theory of the development of moral reasoning

stage 1: preconventional

• during childhood

• worrying about punishment/reward

stage 2: conventional

• late childhood & early adolescence

• following societal rules and norms

stage 3: postconventional

• emerges during adolescent & young adulthood

• most abstract and advanced

how is moral reasoning related to moral behavior

• moral behavior does NOT always match moral reasoning

• contextual factors influence how a person acts when facing moral dilemmas in the real world

what are the major shifts in political and religious beliefs during adolescence

political

• becomes more abstract

• becomes less authoritarian

• increase in consistent set of own attitudes and ideologies

• conventional political actions have declined over time

religious

• become more abstract

• become more independent

• involvement in organized religion declines during adolescence but still remains at similar levels of importance