Chapter 16: Psychosocial Development

Identity Development

• Identity: A consistent definition of oneself as a unique individual formulated through roles, attitudes, beliefs, and aspirations.

Erikson's Stages of Identity

• Identity versus Role Confusion: Erikson’s fifth stage of development during adolescence where individuals explore "Who am I?" but may feel confused about which roles to adopt.
• Identity Achievement:
  • Achievement of a clear sense of self and individual identity based on past experiences and future aspirations.

Identity Not Yet Achieved

• Role Confusion (Identity Diffusion):
  • Lack of direction or care regarding one's identity.
• Foreclosure:
  • Premature identity formation where adolescents accept roles and values unquestioningly.
• Moratorium:
  • A socially acceptable way to postpone identity decisions, often by attending college.

James Marcia's Identity Statuses

• Role confusion, foreclosure, moratorium, and identity achievement are used to describe individuals' coping mechanisms during adolescence.

Religious Identity

• Most adolescents accept their parental and cultural religious identities, although specific beliefs may undergo scrutiny.

Political Identity

• An increase in adolescents identifying as independent and more liberal than their parents, often aligning with their ethnicity.

Ethnic Identity

• Approximately half of adolescents in the U.S. and Canada are of diverse ethnic backgrounds.
• Establishing ethnic identity may be challenging for multiracial, immigrant, or adoptive adolescents.
• Pride in ethnic identity is tied to better academic achievement and overall well-being.

Gender Identity

• Gender identity today includes a spectrum beyond male and female, framing gender roles and personal identities in more nuanced ways.
• Key Terms:
  • Gender Binary: The classification of gender into two distinct, opposite, and disconnected forms of masculine and feminine.
  • Transgender: Identifying as a gender different from that assigned at birth.
  • Cisgender: Identifies with the gender assigned at birth.
  • LGBTQIA+: An acronym encompassing various gender identities and sexual orientations.

Family Dynamics

• Family relationships often involve conflict; balance between support and autonomy is crucial for adolescents.
• Parental Monitoring: Awareness of a child's activities, essential for well-being and safety.

Peer Relationships

• Peer Pressure: Encouragement to conform in behaviors and attitudes.
• Selection: Teens often seek out peers who share similar values and interests.
• Facilitation: Peers can enhance both negative and positive behaviors.
• Deviancy Training: Peer support that teaches how to rebel against authority or norms.

Romantic Relationships

• Development of romantic relationships generally follows a progression from same-sex groups to mixed-sex relationships.
• First Love: Often occurs in high school; breakups can be emotionally impactful.
• Sexual Orientation: Refers to attractions and is often fluid in adolescence.

Sex Education

• Sources include media, parental discussions, and peer influence.
  • Many parents avoid specifics, losing opportunities for effective communication.
  • Schools vary in sex education quality and focus, with abstinence-only programs proving ineffective.

Adolescent Mental Health

• Depression and Self-Esteem:

  • Common signs include sadness and a dip in self-esteem during puberty.
  • Influenced by family and peer support.

• Suicidal Behaviors:

  • Cluster suicides and parasuicidal behaviors are common.
  • Statistics indicate significant suicidal ideation among adolescents, with noticeable differences between genders.

Delinquency and Defiance

• Externalizing and internalizing behaviors often occur in adolescence; many youths report engaging in unlawful behaviors, with certain demographics more at risk.
• Life-Course-Persistent Offender: Someone whose criminal activity starts early and continues throughout life.
• Adolescence-Limited Offender: Criminal activity stops by age 21.

Drug Use and Abuse

• Usage typically peaks between ages 10 to 25 and is influenced by early-age use.
• Gender Variances: Boys generally use more drugs and more frequently than girls due to social constructions.
• Harm from Common Drugs:
  • Tobacco: Slows growth; harmful to heart and lungs.
  • Alcohol: Common among teens and can lead to long-term cognitive impairment.
  • Marijuana: Linked to lower academic performance and motivation.

Prevention of Drug Abuse

• Antidrug campaigns often fail; effective strategies include parental modeling, social context changes, and increased prices.