CHAPT 12-15

Narcissism

A self-centered and self-concerned approach toward others.

Crisis

James Marcia's term for a period of identity development during which the adolescent is exploring alternatives.

Commitment

Marcia's term for the part of identity development in which adolescents show a personal investment in identity.

Identity diffusion

Marcia's term for the status of individuals who have not yet experienced a crisis (explored meaningful alternatives) or made any commitments.

Identity foreclosure

Marcia's term for the status of individuals who have made a commitment but have not experienced a crisis.

Identity moratorium

Marcia's term for the status of individuals who are in the midst of a crisis, but their commitments are either absent or vaguely defined.

Identity achievement

Marcia's term for the status of individuals who have undergone a crisis and have made a commitment.

Ethnic identity

An enduring, basic aspect of the self that includes a sense of membership in an ethnic group and the attitudes and feelings related to that membership.

Clique

A small group of about five or six individuals that may form among adolescents who engage in similar activities.

Crowd

A larger group structure than a clique that is usually based on reputation; members may or may not spend much time together.

Rite of passage

A ceremony or ritual that marks an individual's transition from one status to another. Most rites of passage focus on the transition to adult status.

Juvenile delinquent

An adolescent who breaks the law or engages in behavior that is considered illegal.

The Epigenetic Approach

The epigenetic approach states that development is an ongoing, bidirectional interaction between heredity and the environment.

Emerging adulthood

The transition from adolescence to adulthood (occurring from approximately 18 to 25 years of age), which is characterized by experimentation and exploration.

Binge eating disorder (BED)

Involves frequent binge eating but without compensatory behavior like the purging that characterizes bulimics.

Aerobic exercise

Sustained exercise (such as jogging, swimming, or cycling) that stimulates heart and lung activity.

Addiction

A pattern of behavior characterized by an overwhelming involvement with using a drug and a preoccupation with securing its supply.

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)

Diseases that are contracted primarily through sexual activity.

Rape

Forcible sexual intercourse with a person who does not consent to it.

Date or acquaintance rape

Coercive sexual activity directed at someone with whom the perpetrator is at least casually acquainted.

Postformal thought

Thinking that is reflective, relativistic, contextual, provisional, realistic, and influenced by emotions.

Secure attachment style

An attachment style that describes adults who have positive views of relationships, find it easy to get close to others, and are not overly concerned or stressed out about their romantic relationships.

Avoidant attachment style

An attachment style that describes adults who are hesitant about getting involved in romantic relationships and once in a relationship tend to distance themselves from their partner.

Anxious attachment style

An attachment style that describes adults who demand closeness, are less trusting, and are more emotional, jealous, and possessive.

Consensual validation

An explanation of why individuals are attracted to people who are similar to them. Our own attitudes and behavior are supported and validated when someone else's attitudes and behavior are similar to our own.

Matching hypothesis

Theory that although we prefer a more attractive person in the abstract, in the real world we end up choosing someone who is close to our own level of attractiveness.

Romantic love

Also called passionate love or eros, romantic love has strong sexual and infatuation components and often predominates early in a love relationship.

Affectionate love

In this type of love, also called companionate love, an individual desires to have the other person near and has a deep, caring affection for the other person.

Rapport talk

The language of conversation; it is the way of establishing connections and negotiating relationships.

Report talk

Talk that is designed to give information; this category of communication includes public speaking.

Androgyny

The presence of positive masculine and feminine characteristics in the same person.

Transgender

A broad term that refers to individuals who adopt a gender identity that differs from the one assigned to them at birth.

Middle adulthood

The developmental period that begins at approximately 40 to 45 years of age and extends to about 60 to 65 years of age.

Metabolic syndrome

A condition characterized by hypertension, obesity, and insulin resistance. Metabolic syndrome often leads to the onset of diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

Chronic disorders

Disorders that are characterized by slow onset and long duration. They are rare in early adulthood, increase during middle adulthood, and become common in late adulthood.

Climacteric

The midlife transition during which fertility declines.

Menopause

Cessation of a woman's menstrual periods, usually during the late forties or early fifties.

Erectile dysfunction (ED)

The inability to adequately achieve and maintain an erection to attain satisfactory sexual performance.

Crystallized intelligence

Accumulated information and verbal skills, which increase in middle adulthood, according to Horn.

Fluid intelligence

The ability to reason abstractly, which begins to decline from middle adulthood onward, according to Horn.

Leisure

The pleasant times after work when individuals are free to pursue activities and interests of their own choosing.

Religion

An organized set of beliefs, practices, rituals, and symbols that increases an individual's connection to a sacred or transcendent other (God, higher power, or higher truth).

Religiousness

The degree to which an individual is affiliated with an organized religion, participates in prescribed rituals and practices, feels a sense of connection with its beliefs, and is involved in a community of believers.

Spirituality

Experiencing something beyond oneself in a transcendent manner and living in a way that benefits others and society.

Meaning-making coping

Involves drawing on beliefs, values, and goals to change the meaning of a stressful situation, especially in times of chronic stress such as when a loved one dies.