Developmental Stages & Tasks: Middle–Late Adolescence Quick Notes

Objectives

• Classify developmental tasks by stage

• Evaluate your own development vs. age-mates

• List ways to become a responsible adolescent prepared for adult life

Human Development & Key Stages

• Development spans physical, cognitive, social, emotional growth

• Stages & core traits:

  • Pre-natal $\text{(conception–birth)}$ – heredity, sex, body features fixed

  • Infancy $\text{(birth–2)}$ – basic behaviors, maturation skills

  • Early Childhood $\text{(2–6)}$ – language, questioning, first socialization

  • Late Childhood $\text{(6–12)}$ – self-help, school & play skills

  • Adolescence $\text{(puberty–18)}$ – sexual maturation, rapid physical & psychosocial change

  • Early Adulthood $\text{(18–40)}$ – roles of spouse, parent, worker

  • Middle Age $\text{(40–retirement)}$ – adjust to initial physical/mental decline

  • Old Age $\text{(retirement–death)}$ – accelerated decline, adaptation

Havighurst’s Developmental Tasks (Selected)

• Infancy/Early Childhood $0–5$: walk, talk, solid food, basic conscience, sex differences

• Middle Childhood $6–12$: physical game skills, peer relations, fundamental academics, morality

• Adolescence $13–18$:

  • Mature relations with both sexes

  • Accept physique & sex role

  • Achieve emotional independence from adults

  • Prepare for marriage, family, career

  • Build values & social responsibility

• Early Adulthood $19–30$: select mate, live with partner, begin family & career, manage home

• Middle Adulthood $30–60$: guide teens, civic duty, peak career, leisure, accept mid-life changes

• Late Maturity $61+$: adjust to reduced health/income, spouse’s death, suitable living, civic ties

Challenges of Middle & Late Adolescence

• Physical: girls largely complete puberty by $15$; boys still gaining height, muscle, sexual traits

• Emotional: stress over school/tests, privacy seeking, concern with attractiveness, desire for intimacy

• Social: shift from dependence on parents to mature family/community roles; friends & peer values intensify; exposure to risky behaviors (alcohol, smoking, sex)

• Mental: improved goal-setting, future thinking, complex reasoning, moral ideals, role-model selection

Becoming a Responsible Adolescent

• Clarify & manage teen demands through self-reflection and goal-setting

• Communicate feelings about expectations (parents, siblings, peers, teachers, community)

• Use positive affirmations to strengthen self-worth and capability

• Seek opportunities to help others rather than focusing solely on personal gain

Quick Recall Points

• Development = lifelong, stage-based, continuous adaptation

• Successful resolution of tasks ⇒ smooth transition to next stage

• Middle/Late adolescence = critical for identity, independence, value formation

• Balance physical changes, emotional needs, social pressures, and future planning for healthy adulthood