Final Exam (self made) - Adolescent PSY

Ch 5-8

What are peer groups?

Groups of individuals of approximately the same age.

How did adolescent peer groups become common?

They emerged with the rise of high school attendance and expanded after the baby boom (1955–1975).

Why are peer groups important in modern society?

They help socialize adolescents for adulthood, especially as family influence has declined.

What are the types of cultures related to peer socialization?

• Postfigurative: Adults socialize youth (traditional)

• Cofigurative: Adults and peers both socialize youth (current)

• Prefigurative: Youth socialize adults (fast-changing societies)

How do adolescent peer groups change over time?

• More time spent with peers

• Less adult supervision

• More mixed-gender interactions

• Larger groups (crowds) form

What is a clique?

Small, close-knit groups (2–12 members) based on shared activities or friendship.

What is a crowd?

Large, loosely organized groups based on reputation or stereotype (e.g., jocks, nerds).

What purposes do crowds serve?

• Locate adolescents in school structure

• Channel peer interactions

• Provide identity contexts

How do crowds and cliques influence identity?

• Cliques: Teach social skills

• Crowds: Provide a sense of identity and norms

What are common clique similarities?

• Age

• Gender

• Ethnicity

• Shared interests (school, antisocial behavior, etc.)

What role do parents play in peer relationships?

• Act as monitors or consultants

• Influence crowd membership through upbringing

• Excessive control can backfire

What are iatrogenic effects?

When grouping antisocial teens increases problem behaviors instead of reducing them.

What is the difference between selection and socialization?

• Selection: Choosing friends based on similarity

• Socialization: Becoming more similar through peer influence

What is sociometric vs. perceived popularity?

• Sociometric: How well-liked someone is

• Perceived: Social status and prestige

What are the types of popular teens?

• Boys: (1) Competent & friendly, (2) Aggressive athletes

• Girls: (1) Prosocial & academic, (2) Antisocial & dominant

What is relational aggression?

Harming others through social manipulation (e.g., gossip, exclusion)

What are consequences of peer rejection?

Depression, behavior problems, academic issues, low self-esteem, loneliness

What is bullying?

Repeated aggression with a power imbalance; often includes physical, verbal, or relational harm

What contributes to victimization?

• Personal characteristics (e.g., withdrawn)

• Hostile attributional bias

• Peer reinforcement of bullying

What helps reduce bullying?

• Supportive school climate

• Active bystanders

• Positive relationships with adults

What are the key functions of schools beyond education?

Extracurricular activities, meals, supervision, socialization, public health campaigns.

What was a major criticism of the No Child Left Behind Act

It incentivized teaching to the test and discouraged support for low-achieving students.

What is standards-based reform?

Policies holding schools/students to a set of achievement standards, often assessed by tests.

Why is the Common Core controversial?

Disagreements over curriculum, difficult implementation, and pressure to lower standards.

What is the ideal size for a high school?

600–900 students

How does school size impact student outcomes?

Smaller schools foster better attachment, involvement, and achievement.

When does class size matter most?

In elementary school (up to 3rd grade).

What happens during the transition from elementary to middle school?

Drops in motivation, engagement, and self-esteem; mismatch between student needs and school environment.

What kind of middle schools help students adjust better?

Personal, less departmentalized schools with more student involvement.

What is academic tracking?

Grouping students by ability level into separate classes.

What is a con of academic tracking?

It can reinforce inequalities and limit future opportunities.

How does tracking affect student achievement over time?

It sets early trajectories that are hard to change and can affect long-term success.

What is dyslexia?

A learning disability affecting reading and spelling.

What is mainstreaming in education?

Integrating students with special needs into regular classrooms.

What is the "Big Fish–Little Pond Effect"?

Students feel worse when surrounded by high-achieving peers.

What is ADHD?

A disorder involving difficulty with attention regulation and impulsivity.

How does school ethnic composition affect student outcomes?

Diverse and inclusive schools foster better engagement and safety.

What kind of classroom climate supports achievement?

One that is both responsive and demanding.

What teacher behaviors improve student outcomes?

Clear expectations, structured lessons, timely feedback, encouragement.

What is the self-fulfilling prophecy in education?

Teacher expectations can shape student performance over time.

What enhances student engagement?

Supportive peers, involved parents, extracurriculars, and inspiring teachers.

What are common causes of school violence?

Harsh school climates, lack of respect, poor teacher-student relationships.

Is zero-tolerance policy effective?

No, it increases risks of dropout, future trouble, and inequality.

What percent of HS grads go straight to college?

About 70%.

Why is the college transition difficult?

Increased responsibility, impersonal setting, life changes.

What challenges face non-college-bound students?

Fewer job opportunities, lack of preparation, higher depression rates.

Why do modern adolescents have more free time than in the past?

Due to compulsory schooling and post-WWII affluence.

What is a "mixed" extracurricular portfolio and why might it matter?

It means involvement in a variety of activities, which may support development better than focusing on one.

What trend occurred with student work after 2000?

Employment among high schoolers declined sharply.

List reasons for the decline in teen employment.

Stricter school standards, recessions, immigration/job competition, technology, and stagnant wages.

What are the developmental effects of adolescent work?

It doesn't reliably teach responsibility and may increase absences, lower grades, and misconduct with long hours.

What percent of teens participate in at least one extracurricular?

Around 85%.

Name 3 benefits of structured leisure activities.

Improved school performance, lower delinquency, enhanced well-being.

What theory explains how unstructured time increases problem behavior?

Routine Activity Theory.

What role do adults play in teen leisure?

Adult presence is a deterrent to problem behaviors.

What is the main goal of PYD?

To promote healthy psychosocial development, not just prevent problems.

What personal traits enhance the effectiveness of PYD programs?

Commitment, responsibility, perseverance, and achievement.

How much time do teens spend with media daily on average?

About 9 hours

What’s a key concern with media usage?

It displaces beneficial activities like sleep, studying, and socializing.

What is Cultivation Theory?

The idea that media shapes beliefs, interests, and motives.

What is the Uses and Gratifications Approach?

Media use is shaped by user interests, not the other way around.

What is the Media Practice Model?

Adolescents choose and interpret media in ways that affect its impact.

What are common portrayals of sex in media?

Women as sex objects, sex as masculine, fun, and competitive.

What do most teens say is their main source of sex education?

Pornography.

What are the effects of viewing sexual media content?

Changes in attitudes, beliefs, and intentions—not necessarily behavior.

What are the risks of violent video game use?

Increased fighting—but causality is unclear.

Why does the motivation for playing matter?

Playing to escape → more negative effects; playing for fun → fewer negative effects.

What personality traits increase risk of problematic gaming?

High impulsivity and sensation-seeking.

Does social media use cause depression in teens?

No strong evidence supports this claim.

What are some positives of social media use?

Improved self-esteem, closer friendships, empathy, civic engagement.

What are some negatives of social media use?

Higher anxiety, social comparisons, and exposure to risky behavior.

Which group is more vulnerable to social media's negative effects?

Girls—due to heightened sensitivity to social feedback.