Adolescent Development and Identity Statuses

Flashcards covering the stages of adolescence, Erikson's psychosocial theory, identity statuses, developmental tasks, and the domains of human development.

Adolescence (WHO 2023)

The period of life spanning the ages of 10-19 years.

Early Adolescence

The subdivision of adolescence occurring between the ages of 10 and 13.

Middle Adolescence

The subdivision of adolescence occurring between the ages of 14 and 17.

Late Adolescence

The subdivision of adolescence occurring between the ages of 18 and 21.

Erik Erikson

A developmental psychologist who created the Theory of Psychosocial Development, explaining how personality and identity develop through eight stages.

Identity versus Role Confusion

The central challenge of adolescence (ages 12-18 y.o) according to Erikson, where individuals explore and form their identity.

Intimacy versus Isolation

The conflict proposed by Erikson (1968) occurring in early adulthood.

Identity Statuses

The different stages people go through as they discover who they are and decide what they believe, value, and want to do in life.

Identity Diffusion

An identity status involving low commitment and low exploration, meaning the adolescent has not made decisions and is not exploring alternatives.

Identity Foreclosure

An identity status characterized by high commitment without the exploration of other options.

Identity Moratorium

An identity status referring to high exploration but low commitment, where individuals are actively questioning but have not made firm decisions.

Identity Achievement

An identity status that occurs when an adolescent has explored alternatives and made commitments to specific values, beliefs, or goals.

Developmental Tasks

Skills, behaviors, and responsibilities that individuals are expected to acquire as they grow, emerging from biological maturation and societal expectations.

Protective Factors

Characteristics and environments, such as high self-esteem, strong family support, and healthy habits, that help adolescents develop resilience.

Risk Factors

Conditions such as poverty, negative peer influence, or exposure to violence that can increase adolescent vulnerability and harm development.

Physiological Development

The domain of development referring to physical and biological changes and growth that occur in one's body.

Cognitive Development

The domain involving changes in thinking, reasoning, and problem-solving as the prefrontal cortex develops.

Psychosocial Development

The domain encompassing social and emotional development, focusing on shaping one's self-concept and navigating social environments.

Emotional Development

The domain centered on gaining better control over emotions and learning to express and cope with them in healthy ways.

Emotional Self-regulation

A life skill that allows individuals to manage intense feelings effectively rather than being controlled by them.