DevPsych - Ch 12

How does self-concept change in adolescence?

Becomes more complex, differentiated, organized, and abstract; adolescents use qualifiers and recognize situational behavior.

What is the difference between ideal self and real self?

A large discrepancy is linked to depression, low self-esteem, and poor grades.

What is the developmental pattern of self-esteem in adolescence?

Declines in early adolescence (~11), lowest at ~13, then rises.

Which ethnic group tends to have the highest self-esteem in adolescence?

Black adolescents, often protected by strong community ties.

Which ethnic group tends to have the lowest self-esteem in adolescence?

Asian American adolescents, potentially due to cultural values of interdependence.

What is Erikson’s central psychosocial task in adolescence?

Identity vs. Role Confusion—forming a coherent and consistent sense of self.

What is a psychosocial moratorium?

A "time-out" period for identity exploration without full adult responsibilities.

What are James Marcia's two dimensions for identity status?

Exploration (active or inactive) and Commitment (present or absent).

What is Identity Diffusion?

No exploration, no commitment; linked to apathy and academic issues.

What is Identity Foreclosure?

Commitment without exploration; often rigid and based on parental expectations.

What is Moratorium?

Active exploration without commitment; may involve anxiety and uncertainty.

What is Identity Achievement?

Commitment after exploration; linked to high self-esteem and maturity.

What promotes identity achievement?

Authoritative parenting, higher SES (more opportunities), and supportive peers.

What is ethnic-racial identity?

A sense of membership to an ethnic/racial group, including attitudes and culture.

What is a key outcome of strong ethnic-racial identity?

Acts as a buffer against discrimination and promotes well-being and academic achievement.

What is gender intensification?

Heightened social pressure to conform to gender-stereotyped roles in early adolescence.

What are risks for transgender adolescents?

Elevated stress, mental health problems, harassment, victimization.

What supports transgender adolescents?

Family/peer support, GSAs, inclusive curricula, social/medical transition.

How does religiosity change in adolescence?

Tends to decline but remains important; spirituality becomes more prominent.

What are Kohlberg's three levels of moral reasoning?

Preconventional, Conventional, Postconventional.

What is the focus of Preconventional reasoning?

Self-interest, rewards, and punishments.

What is the focus of Conventional reasoning?

Social norms, laws, duty; increases in adolescence.

What is the focus of Postconventional reasoning?

Abstract, self-chosen principles of justice and rights; rare.

What was Carol Gilligan's critique of Kohlberg?

Argued it favored a male justice orientation and neglected a female care orientation.

What is civic engagement?

Participation in community/political life (e.g., volunteering, campaigning, protesting).

What is Critical Consciousness (Paulo Freire)?

Understanding and acting against systems of oppression.

What are the three components of Critical Consciousness?

Critical Reflection, Political Efficacy, Critical Action.

What is the typical pattern of parent-adolescent conflict?

Increases in early adolescence, peaks in middle adolescence, then declines.

What are typical topics of parent-adolescent conflict?

Mundane issues like chores, curfew, appearance—not major values.

What parenting style is linked to positive adolescent outcomes worldwide?

Authoritative parenting (warmth + firm limits).

What is effective parental monitoring?

Awareness of activities balanced with autonomy support and warmth.

What characterizes adolescent friendships?

Intimacy, loyalty, self-disclosure, and trust.

What is homophily in friendships?

Tendency for friends to be similar in demographics, risk orientation, and achievement.

What is a clique?

A small, tight-knit group of ~5 close friends.

What is a crowd?

A larger, reputation-based group (e.g., populars, jocks, brains).

When does peer conformity (peer pressure) peak?

Around age 14, then declines through age 18.

What is cyberbullying?

Bullying via digital means; asynchronous, often invisible to adults, linked to depression/anxiety.

What is the trend in adolescent dating?

Fewer adolescents are dating now than in prior decades.

What is a risk of early dating (before 15)?

Poor adjustment, substance use, depression.

What is the prevalence of dating violence in adolescence?

~20% experience physical violence, ~9% experience sexual violence.

What is the predictable pattern of sexual activity?

Progresses from kissing to intercourse.

What is the typical age of first intercourse?

Around age 17.

What is a risk factor for early sexual initiation?

Early puberty, poor parental monitoring, sexually active peers, stressful contexts.

What is sexual orientation viewed as?

A dynamic spectrum of enduring attraction.

What is "coming out"?

Disclosing one's sexual orientation; typically occurs in late adolescence.

What is sexting?

Sending/receiving sexually explicit messages/images; linked to risky behaviors.

What age group accounts for over half of new STI diagnoses?

15-24 year olds.

What is the most common STI?

HPV (human papillomavirus).

What are risk factors for adolescent pregnancy?

Early sexual activity, having a sister who was a teen mother, low SES.

What is the prevalence of adolescent depression?

~13% are diagnosed; rates rise in early adolescence; girls are twice as likely.

What is a leading cause of death for ages 10-24?

Suicide.

What is the gender difference in suicide attempts vs. deaths?

Girls attempt more often; boys die more often due to more lethal methods.

What is anorexia nervosa?

Self-starvation and distorted body image; highest mortality rate of any mental disorder.

What is bulimia nervosa?

Binge-eating without purging; most prevalent eating disorder in adolescence.

What is adolescent vulnerability to substance use?

Reduced sensitivity to stop-drinking cues, quicker tolerance/dependence development.

What is the developmental pattern of delinquency?

Rises in early adolescence, peaks in middle adolescence, declines in late adolescence.

What is emerging adulthood?

A distinct life stage from ~18–29, characterized by identity exploration and instability.

What are Arnett's five key features of emerging adulthood?

Age of identity explorations, instability, self-focus, feeling in-between, possibilities.

What brain region is still maturing in emerging adulthood?

Prefrontal cortex, leading to impulsivity and poor executive functioning.

What is delayed sleep phase syndrome?

Sleeping longer on weekends/holidays than on work/school days; linked to cognitive deficits.

What is the most serious threat to emerging adults?

Automobile accidents (highest rates ages 16–24).

What is postformal thinking?

Cognitive stage beyond Piaget's formal operations; includes pragmatism and reflective judgment.

What is reflective judgment?

Capacity to evaluate evidence and arguments; progresses through multiple thinking and relativism stages.

What are benefits of tertiary education?

Higher earnings, better skills, critical thinking, improved self-concept and well-being.

Why does self-esteem increase in emerging adulthood?

Puberty ends, parent relationships improve, high school pressure ends, more social control.

What is "recentering" in romantic relationships?

Shift from family to romantic partner as the center of emotional life.

What do emerging adults prioritize in romantic partners?

Personal qualities (intelligence, attractiveness) and interpersonal qualities (kindness, trustworthiness).

What is the trend in romantic partner similarity?

Opposites do not attract; emerging adults partner with similar individuals.