Module 49: Adolescence: Social Development and Emerging Adulthood

Erik Erikson

contended that each stage of life has its own psychosocial task, a crisis that needs resolution

psychosocial development

involves changes not only in teens’ overt behavior but also in their social cognition

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

self-esteem

being able to have confidence in your abilities and sense of self

intimacy

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

key facts

during adolescence, parental influences diminishes and peer influence increases

most adolescents adopt their peers’ ways of dressing, acting, and communicating

parents have more influence in religion, politics, and college and career choices

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