Exam2 Psych412

Emerging Self

Infants develop self-recognition around 18 months through cognitive development and social interaction.

Self-Concept

Traits and characteristics we attribute to ourselves; young children focus on physical traits, while older children and adolescents focus on inner qualities and complex identities.

Self-Concept in Adolescence

Becomes broader and deeper; adolescents reflect more on themselves (journaling, social media) and develop greater self-complexity and self-clarity due to brain development in the medial prefrontal cortex.

Identity Complexity

The ability to recognize contradictions in one's identity; greater complexity leads to better well-being and is influenced by social feedback.

Ideal Self

The person one hopes to become; motivates goal-setting and personal growth.

Real Self

One's current traits and characteristics, compared with the ideal self through metacognition and self-reflection.

Self-Concept Clarity

How clearly and consistently one defines and understands oneself; high clarity links to higher self-esteem and lower anxiety and depression.

Temperament

Early genetically-based but environmentally influenced tendencies to respond predictably to events; building blocks of personality.

Big Five Personality Traits

Openness, Conscientiousness, Extraversion, Agreeableness, Neuroticism.

Adolescent Personality Trends

Agreeableness and conscientiousness increase; neuroticism declines in emerging adulthood; traits remain relatively stable with age.

Self-Esteem

Overall sense of worth and adequacy; emerges around age 8 and includes scholastic, social, athletic, physical, and behavioral domains.

Culture and Self-Esteem

Individualist cultures link self-esteem to personal success; collectivist cultures link it to group welfare and contribution.

Erikson's Identity vs. Role Confusion

Adolescents explore "Who am I?"—successful resolution leads to identity achievement; confusion leads to uncertainty about roles.

Ethnic and Racial Identity (ERI)**

A sense of belonging to a racial or ethnic group involving shared culture, attitudes, and values.

Gender Roles

Social expectations for masculine (assertive) and feminine (affiliative) behavior.

Kohlberg's Gender Theory

Three stages—Gender identity (2 yrs), stability (3 yrs), and constancy (6 yrs).

Gender Schema Theory

Children form mental frameworks about gender that influence what information they attend to or remember.

Gender Intensification Hypothesis

Gender differences increase in adolescence due to puberty and social pressure, though findings are mixed.

Transgender Identity Support

Gender-affirming care and social acceptance reduce distress and suicide risk.

Androgyny

High levels of both masculine and feminine traits; linked to flexibility and lower stress.

Adolescent Sexual Behavior Trends

Rates of intercourse declining; average first intercourse around age 17.

Sexual Orientation

Enduring pattern of romantic and sexual attraction; exists on a spectrum.

Adolescent Pregnancy

Declining rates; risk factors include early puberty, poor home environment; associated with stress and developmental risks for infants.

False self

Presenting self in a way they knowis inconsistent with 'real self'

Individualist cultures

Self-esteem is related toindividual accomplishments and self-promotion

Collectivist cultures

Self-esteem is defined moreby contributing to the welfare of the larger group

Identity Achievement

Person has made a commitment and explored alternative options

Identity Moratorium

Person has not made a commitment but has explored options

Identity Foreclosure

Person has made a commitment but has not explored options

Identity Diffusion

Person has not explored options and has not made a commitment

Unexamined ERI

Not explored, no clear personal understanding or commitment

Exploration ERI

Active search for information andmeaning without commitment yet

Achievement

After exploration, acceptanceand internalization as part of coherent identity

Sex Differences

Differences in reproductive systems, hormones for males and females

Gender Differences

Differences in the roles and behaviors for boys/menand girls/women

Gender Schema Filter

initial evaluation of information as relevant for one's own gender

Interest Filter

Initial evaluation of information as being personally interesting

Gender contentedness

How happy am I with my gender group?

Intergroup Bias

Do I believe that my gender is superior?

General Intelligence

Boys and girls are equivalent in most aspects of intelligence and cognitive functioning

Verbal Skills

Girls tend to be slightly advanced in early language development

Spatial Skills

Boys tend to perform better than do girls in some aspects of visual-spatial processing

What approach should you take when questioning youth about their sexuality

Passive Consent Approach

Sexuality

The understanding and expression of sexual feelings and behaviors

Testosterone

Responsible for sexual throughouts and feelings

Sexually Transmitted Infections

Infections passed through sexual contact