2001.10 - Adolescence and Beyond

What are the three stages of adolescence?

Early (11-14 years), Middle (15-17 years), and Late (18+ years).

What key changes occur during adolescence?

Physical maturation, cognitive development, and psychological changes, including increased risk-taking.

What is the average growth spurt during adolescence?

9-10 cm per year during adolescence.

According to Erikson, what is the central conflict during adolescence?

Identity vs. Role Confusion.

What does Erikson's theory suggest about identity in adolescence?

There is an identity crisis that involves exploration and resolution of personal beliefs and values.

What are Marcia's four identity statuses?

Diffusion, Foreclosure, Moratorium, and Achievement.

What is meant by 'psychosocial moratorium'?

A period during which individuals can explore various identities without committing to one.

What is the 'Storm and Stress' model?

A theory that suggests adolescence is a period of turbulence characterized by conflicts with parents and mood disruptions.

What does recent empirical evidence suggest about adolescent turmoil?

It may not be experienced uniformly by all adolescents and is often exaggerated.

What trend regarding parent-adolescent conflict was observed in research?

Conflict intensity peaks during middle adolescence (14-18 years) but often concerns mundane matters.

What does research show about mood disruptions in adolescents?

While adolescents report more mood disruptions than children or adults, the turmoil is often over-exaggerated.

What are the three key cognitive gains observed from adolescence to young adulthood according to Piaget?

Logic, inferential reasoning, and the ability to think abstractly.

What does post-formal thinking entail?

Realization of the relativistic nature of knowledge, acceptance of contradictions, and integration of contradictions.

What changes occur in cognitive abilities from young to middle adulthood?

General stability in cognitive abilities with some slight decreases.

What cognitive abilities may peak during middle adulthood?

Inductive reasoning, vocabulary, verbal memory, and spatial orientation.

What declines are associated with late adulthood?

Memory and other cognitive abilities typically decline, with perceptual speed declining significantly.

What is a terminal decline in cognitive functioning?

Cognitive functioning often declines several years before death.

What factors can influence cognitive ability in older adulthood?

Physical health, job type, and genetic factors.

What ability might remain intact as people age?

Some cognitive abilities, particularly those related to social experience.

What role does experience play in cognitive functioning in older adulthood?

Experience may be a more important determinant of cognitive performance than age itself.

How does Erikson define young adulthood?

A stage characterized by the conflict of intimacy vs. isolation.

What is a common critique of traditional views on adolescence?

They have often exaggerated the extent of turmoil and conflict during this developmental stage.

How is cognitive development in late adulthood typically characterized?

General decline, with some abilities remaining stable.

What did Vetter et al. (2012) study in relation to adolescent cognition?

The performance differences between young/mid adolescents and late adolescents/young adults on social cognition tasks.

What does cognitive processing involve, according to the notes?

Perceptual speed and numerical ability.

What phenomenon occurs around the ages of 60-67 regarding cognitive abilities?

Significant decline in many tested cognitive areas.

How might the findings about adolescence and cognitive change impact educational approaches?

Understanding that cognitive abilities develop beyond adolescence can shape how education is structured.

What is the role of genetics in cognitive aging?

Genetic influences can significantly affect the rate and extent of cognitive decline.

What are some implications of the Seattle Longitudinal Study findings?

That some cognitive abilities may peak in middle adulthood rather than decline.

How does Erikson's view of late adulthood characterize the conflict experienced during this stage?

Integrity vs. Despair.

What is the impact of culture on adolescent development, according to the notes?

Cultural trends favoring individualism may lead to increased conflict during adolescence.

Why is the concept of 'Storm and Stress' considered potentially outdated?

Because it does not accurately represent the experiences of all adolescents and may exaggerate typical challenges.

What does the term 'identity diffusion' refer to in Marcia's framework?

An identity status where individuals have not yet seriously considered their personal beliefs or identity.

What are the cognitive implications of the aging process in the workforce?

Experience may outweigh the effects of aging in job performance, particularly in skilled professions.

Essay Question: Discuss the key stages of adolescence according to developmental psychology.

Outline the three stages of adolescence: Early (11-14 years), Middle (15-17 years), and Late (18+ years) as defined by T. S. Kuhn. Include Erik Erikson’s psychosocial conflict of identity vs. role confusion, detailing research by Marcia (1966) on identity statuses (Diffusion, Foreclosure, Moratorium, Achievement), illustrating how these statuses manifest differently through various adolescent experiences.

Essay Question: Analyze the cognitive development changes during adolescence.

Discuss the cognitive gains identified by Jean Piaget, particularly in formal operations, which includes logic, inferential reasoning, and abstract thinking. Provide evidence from researchers like Vetter et al. (2012), who studied social cognition tasks across adolescence, and discuss the transition to post-formal thinking. Cite additional literature illustrating how developmental tasks influence cognitive abilities, including research by Labouvie-Vief on the role of emotional intelligence.

Essay Question: Evaluate the 'Storm and Stress' theory in adolescence.

Review G. Stanley Hall's 'Storm and Stress' model, proposing adolescence as a period characterized by conflict and upheaval. Critically analyze more recent studies, such as those by Arnett (1999), indicating that while some adolescents do experience conflict, it is not universal. Discuss findings by Kim et al. (2010) showing that most adolescents report positive relationships with their parents despite conflicts peaking during mid-adolescence.

Essay Question: Discuss the role of culture in shaping adolescent development.

Examine cultural influences, referring to research by Chao (1994) that describes how cultural variations in parenting styles affect adolescent identity formation and conflict. Highlight empirical studies by Fuligni (1998) that indicate that cultural individualism may exacerbate conflicts during adolescence, contrasting with collectivist cultures where communal relationships are prioritized.

Essay Question: Examine the continuity and changes in cognitive abilities from adolescence into adulthood.

Summarize findings from the Seattle Longitudinal Study by Schaie (1996), highlighting cognitive stability in young to middle adulthood, and discuss the cognitive decline associated with late adulthood including significant areas affected, as indicated by research from L. L. Smith (2003). Address the implications of experience as emphasized by Baltes and Baltes (1990) in their theory on successful aging.

Essay Question: Investigate the factors influencing identity development during adolescence.

Discuss Marcia's identity statuses framework while referencing studies by Kroger (2007) which analyze how adolescents navigate identity diffusion through exploration and commitment. Evaluate research from Schwartz et al. (2013) demonstrating how psychosocial moratorium allows adolescents a safe space to explore identity, grounded in Erikson’s theories.

Essay Question: Define and discuss Erikson's conflict of intimacy vs. isolation in young adulthood.

Explore Erik Erikson’s theory stating that after achieving identity, young adults face the conflict of intimacy vs. isolation, emphasizing his research on the importance of close relationships for emotional health. Cite studies by C. M. M. Arnett (2004), illustrating the effects of this conflict on relationship satisfaction and personal development in early adulthood.

Essay Question: Analyze the impact of the aging process on cognitive functioning in older adulthood.

Summarize findings on terminal decline based on research by H. L. Schaie and J. G. Willis (1996) showing cognitive declines as individuals approach death. Discuss influences on cognitive abilities in later life, including research from Salthouse (2010) outlining how physical health, job type, and genetics play significant roles, contrasting these with insights from Baltes (1997) on the importance of experience in cognitive functioning.