• Identity: Asking “Who Am I?” A. Self­Concept: What Am I Like?
  • Differentiation of self­concept reflects a complex definition of the self. For example, we talked about adolescents becoming more idealistic – they may start defining themselves by their belief systems, as well.

­Confusion: behs don’t always match up with self­image

­older teens more comfortable w/ behs changing across situations

­incorporating others’ view of the self even more ­beliefs ideas about who you are

Self­Esteem: How Do I Like Myself?

1. Gender Differences in Self­Esteem

a) Especially in early adolescence, girls have lower self­esteem.

­social pressure on physical appearance, social relationships ­may feel pressured to hide academic ability

Self esteem­is the emotional reaction to who you are. While the self­esteem of boys is generally higher, they have worries of their own. ­macho expectations­ confident, tough, fearless, no matter what ­athletic competence

          Socioeconomic Status and Race Differences in Self­Esteem

  • Higher SES leads to more self­esteem – especially in late adolescence, trends very important; can feel left out if you can’t afford them
  • Current research indicates that African American adolescents, who have strong racial identity and sense of community, teens tend to have a stronger sense of racial identity, community, which leads to higher levels of self­esteem
  • It appears that Hispanic, Asian, and Native Americans have lower selfesteem than African or Caucasian Americans. in order A­A, White, Hispanic, Asian, Native American
  • Identity Formation: Change or Crisis?
    • According to Erik Erikson, adolescents are in the identity­ versus­ identity confusion stage­. discover identity, individuality
  • ­never said your done, you may slightly revise your sense of self as you move on in life, BUT the BULK is in adolescence
  • Societal Pressures and Reliance on Friends and Peers: lots of pressure to figure out what they want to do with life, esp., in late adolescence may rely more on friends, peers than parents as to what we should do
  • Psychological Moratorium ­ taking time off from upcoming responsibilities of adulthood to explore roles, possibilities ­is it a good idea to have a year break b/w high school and college?
  • James Marcia’s Approach to Identity Development
    • He suggests four categories within which either crisis or commitment exists. The four statuses are:
      • Identity achievement­: considered alternatives, committed to choices tend to be the happiest; may go back into exploration in college
      • Identity foreclosure­ prematurely committed to identity without really exploring ­usually what their parents want tend to have an above average/ high need for social approval
      • Identity diffusion­ no exploration, no commitment: perfectly normal for young ppl ( 13 yrs); common in early teens ­in late teens, can lead to anxiety
  • Moratorium­ have explored alternatives, no decision

­IN THE MIDDLE

  • Research indicates that identity gels by the age of 18. Of course, as life events shape us, that sense of self will change over time, but the core tends to remain fairly stable.
  • Depression and Suicide: Psychological Difficulties in Adolescence
    • Adolescent Depression
      • Many adolescents have feelings of sadness and hopelessness, and some experience major depression.

­major depressive disorder relatively rare­ 3%

­influential factors include biology, environment, social factors

  • Girls have higher incidences of depression than boys but the cause is not clear.

­girls have higher rates­ reason unclear ­female gender role?

­reactions to stress?

­dealing w/ stress girls internalize, guys externalize

­hormonal difference not a factor in levels of depression

  • Adolescent Suicide
    • Adolescent suicide rates have tripled in the last 30 years—it is the third most common cause of death for teenagers.
    • The current rate is one teenage suicide every 90 minutes.

­more girls attempt; more boys succeed

­males tend to choose more violent, immediate methods

­estimates of as many as 200 attempts for each completed suicide

  • One reason for this increase is the increase in teenage stress— but that is not the whole picture. Other factors include:

­other risk factors:

­depression, family conflicts, history of abuse/neglect

­drug/alcohol abuse

­cluster suicide: one suicide leads to attempts by others to kill themselves

  • There are some clear warning signs for suicide possibility.

­any talk of suicide should be taken seriously; direct or indirect ­making arrangements as if preparing for a long trip, including giving away prized possessions

­writing a will

­dramatic changes in beh

­preoccupation w/ death in music, art, literature

  • Relationships: Family and Friends
    • Family Ties: Changes Relations with Relations
      • The Quest for Autonomy­ having independence, sense of control over one’s life

­often adds to tension b/w teens, parents

  • Culture and Autonomy
  • a) The degree of autonomy achieved varies with families and with cultural expectations.

­Western societies: individualistic­ quest for autonomy is early, pronounced

­Eastern societies: collectivistic­ less of a push for autonomy

­males usually allowed more autonomy, earlier than females

  • The Myth of the Generation Gap ­ divide b/w parents & kids in attitudes, values, aspirations, world views ­actually tend to agree w/ parents on “big issues”
  • Conflicts With Parents ­annoying, but not major

­tend to be over matters of personal taste

  • Relationships With Peers: The Importance of Belonging
    • Peer relationships are more critical to adolescents than any other time of life.
    • References Groups – groups of people we see ourselves as belonging to

­most of our social comparisons

­set of norms we can use to judge our own successes/ failures

  • Cliques and Crowds: Belonging to a Group
  • a) Adolescents are usually part of some identifiable group.
    • Cliques­ usually 2­12 people; most frequent interactions; core group of friends
    • Crowds –larger, more impersonal groups

­common characteristics, but fewer interactions

­strong expectations about beh­ could be self­fulfilling prophecy

­cliques, crowds give provisional sense of identity

  • Gender Relationships
  • a) Gender relations change during the period of adolescence.

(1) Sex cleavage­early adolescence­ boys hangout w/ boys, girls w/ girls

­puberty: hormonal, social pressure to interact w/ the opposite sex

­most cliques become mixed­sex

­end of adol.= cliques less influential; more time…?

  • Popularity and Rejection
    • Popularity and rejection are central focuses of adolescent lives.
    • Differentiations of popularity are complex.
      • Popular – well­liked
      • Controversial adolescents – liked by some, disliked by others
      • Rejected adolescents –uniformly disliked
      • Neglected adolescents ­neither liked nor disliked; overlooked
    • Conformity: Peer Pressure in Adolescence

­influence of one’s peers to conform to their beh, attitudes

­most notable on social matters­ fashion, music, popular movies, etc. ­for other concerns, teens turn to whomever they consider an “expert”­ a lot of the time it is an adult

  • Juvenile Delinquency: The Crimes of Adolescence
    • Juvenile delinquency (especially violent crime behavior) rates are rising.

­teens disproportionately involved in violent crimes

(rape/murder/assault) & property crimes (theft/robbery/arson)

  • Undersocialized delinquents­

­raised w/ little discipline or w/ harsh, uncaring parental supervision

­typically begin criminal career before adolescence

­will likely keep offending as adults

  • Socialized delinquents –

­know & subscribe to norms of society; fairly normal psychologically

­more of a phase: usually influenced by a group ­NOT likely to continue offending as adults

  • Dating, Sexual Behavior, and Teenage Pregnancy Dating: Close Relationships in the 21st Century
    1. By the time most girls are 12 and 13, and boys are 13 or 14, they begin to engage in dating.
    2. The Functions of Dating

­learn how to establish intimacy

­entertainment

­do this on your own;

­this helps develop one’s OWN identity

­whole thing is more difficult for gay/ lesbian teens, who face discrimination

­may not be able to openly date

Research indicates that most dating in early and middle adolescence is superficial, so it does not help in learning to establish intimacy.  True intimacy is more common in late adolescence where it can be a potential prelude to marriage.

  • When Texting Turns Explicit: Sexting – sending texts that contain explicit, sexually provocative photos or text
    1. For an increasing number of adolescents, sexting is

­easy; can demonstrate affection/loyalty

­can also be used as relationship icebreaker

  • The consequences of sexting can be devastating.

­not uncommon for them to be forwarded

­can be seen by 100s of kids ­can be posted online ­double standard­…?

  • There can be legal consequences.

­if image involves anyone under 18, child porno laws are applicable ­becoming more prosecuted

  • Sexual Relationships
  • Sex and sexual relationships are a major concern for adolescents.

Masturbation ­ sexual self­stimulation­often

1st sexual activity, particularly for males

­can be embarrassing

­inability to find sexual partner

­lingering cultural attitudes

  • Sexual Intercourse
    • Sexual intercourse remains a major milestone in the perceptions of most adolescents.

­what’s the best age?

­age of 1st experience declined over last 50 years

­over ½ have intercourse b/w 15 & 18

­80 %: have sex by the time we are 20

  • ­1 in 5 have sex before 13
    • The double standard (OK for men, not OK for women) has largely been supplanted by a new norm—permissiveness with affection ­ premarital intercourse is acceptable for mean & women if it occurs in context of long­term, committed, or loving relationship
    • Sexual Orientation: Heterosexuality, Homosexuality, and Bisexuality 1. Sexual orientation questions also occur at adolescence.

­questions about sexual orientation can be difficult to deal with

­difficult to determine exact percentages of homosexuality/bisexuality­ sexuality seen as a continuum ­20­25%: of teen boys, 10 % of teen girls will have at least 1 same­sex encounter

­don’t confuse sexuality w/ gender identity­ 2 separate things

  • What Determines Sexual Orientation?

­FREUD: inappropriate identification w/ opposite­sexed parent­ not supported by evidence Genetics­ twin studies

­interplay of genetic, physiological, & environmental factors

  • Homosexual adolescents have a very difficult time and they are at greater risk for depression and suicide because of homophobia in society.

­may be rejected by peers, family

­harassment & assaults