psyc 100 - Adolescence and Adulthood

Cross-sectional Design

Compares different people of different ages

Ex. Comparing music taste of your parents to your own music taste

Longitudinal Design

Following a group of individuals over time

The average onset of puberty in females

10-11 years

The average onset of puberty in males

11-12 years

When does emerging adulthood occur?

18-29 years

Synaptic Pruning

Where the brain eliminates synapses (connections) in order to create efficiency

Neurological Changes in Adolescence

• Synaptic pruning

• Increase in myelination

• Loss of neural plasticity (around 16 years)

Prefrontal Cortex

Region of the brain that does not finish developing until 25. Responsible for critical thinking, judgement, and decision making.

Homophily

Similar interests/backrounds

Deviant Peer Contagion

Individuals are more likely to engage in negative or risky behaviour when it has been approved by a peer

Crowds

Large groups based on stereotypes and reputations

ex. Jocks, drama kids, etc.

Cliques

Smaller groups of people with similar characteristics

Identity Foreclosure

A stage in Erikson's theory where an individual commits to an identity without exploring other options, often influenced by parents or authority figures.

Identity Diffusion

A stage where an individual hasn't committed to an identity and isn't actively exploring options, leading to confusion or uncertainty about their future.

Identity Moratorium

A stage where an individual is actively exploring different identities and options but has not yet committed to one.

Identity Achievement

A stage where an individual has explored different options and committed to an identity that reflects their true self.

What is Patterson’s Development of Antisocial Behaviour?

Early starter vs. Late starter

Early starters are more at risk

Moffitt

Antisocial behaviour that is life-course persistent vs, adolescent-limited

Life Course Theories

Focus on how society, culture, and life events affect your development over time.

Life Span Theories

Focus on how people grow and change biologically and psychologically from birth to death.

Psychometric Tests

Look at intelligence, personality, and cognitive abilities

Fluid Intelligence

The ability to adapt and change over time, as well as delaing with novel situations without past experience. Declines in later adulthood, peaks in early 20s

Crystallized Intelligence

The ability to gain knowledge and tackle problems based on past-experiences and acquired knowledge. Stays stable in later years and peaks at around 50 years of age.

Autobiographical Narratives

The story of our lives

Changes as we age (older people reflect about their whole life instead)

Socioemotional Selectivity Theory

Our motivations for seeking social contact change as we age (older people limit their social life to just their closest contacts)