u9 sec 3 psych

adolescence

the transition period from childhood to adulthood, extending from puberty to independence

puberty

the period of sexual maturation, during which a person becomes capable of reproducing

identity

our sense of self; according to Erikson, the adolescent’s task is to solidify a sense of self by testing and integrating various roles

social identity

the “we” aspect of our self-concept; the part of our answer to “Who am I?” that comes from our group memberships

intimacy

in Erikson’s theory, the ability to form close, loving relationships; a primary developmental task in young adulthood

emerging adulthood

a period from about age 18 to the mid-twenties, when many in Western cultures are no longer adolescents but have not yet achieved full independence as adults

preconventional morality

a level of moral reasoning focused on self-interest and avoiding punishment or gaining rewards

conventional morality

a level of moral reasoning focused on upholding laws, rules, and social order to gain approval

postconventional morality

a level of moral reasoning in which actions reflect belief in basic rights and self-defined ethical principles

formal operations

Piaget’s stage of cognitive development in which people can think abstractly, reason hypothetically, and consider possibilities

moral reasoning

the thinking process that occurs as we consider right and wrong

moral intuition

quick, automatic gut feelings that guide moral judgments