Adolescent Development: The Self

Erikson: The Self in Adolescence

• Erikson’s identity versus role confusion: Erikson’s fifth stage of psychosocial development.
• Self-descriptions now include contradictory traits.
• “Trying on” different identities.
• Positive and negative identities.

Promoting Healthy Identity Development

• Open lines of communication
  • Teens who describe parents as “available” and “understanding”, less likely to engage in risky, dangerous behavior
  • Speak transparently but matter of fact and succinctly regarding sexual exploration
• Establish and uphold rules and boundaries
  • Incorporating warmth, responsiveness, and control
  • Reduces drug use and risky behaviors

Development of The Self

• Self-Esteem During Adolescence
  • Cognitive ability to compare real selves to ideal selves
  • Appearance very important to adolescents
  • Can account for 45–70% of variance in global self-esteem
• Gender differences appear early
• Racial and ethnic differences exist
  • Positive effects of representation, inclusion
• Ethnic and Racial Identity
  • Racism consists of:
  • Stereotypes
  • Prejudices
  • Discrimination
    • Microaggressions
  • Institutional racism related to mental health outcomes
  • Toxic stress
  • Racial socialization
• Online Identity
  • Experimentation with online self- presentations
  • Impression management
  • Those with lower self-esteem log in more often
  • Selfies
  • Imaginary audience
  • May contribute to narcissism

The Daily Lives of Adolescents

• Varies culturally
• Unstructured Time
  • Often spent using media
  • Teens stay in touch with friends online
  • Both positive and negative features of media use
  • Community involvement
  • Cyberbullying
  • Online predators