Adolescent Development - AP Psychology (Unit 6, Topic 4)

Introduction

• Focus on adolescent development as a shift from childhood development.
• Adolescence begins with puberty, marking physical and reproductive maturity.

Cognitive and Emotional Development

• Adolescents exhibit self-focused reasoning, often feeling isolated or judged ("imaginary audience").
• Cognitive Stage:
  • Based on Piaget’s theory, adolescents are in the "formal operational stage" enabling abstract and hypothetical thinking.
• Brain Development:
  • Limbic system changes and new hormones increase emotional and impulsive behaviors.
  • Frontal lobe underdeveloped, affecting risk assessment and long-term thinking.

Identity Development

• Erik Erikson’s Stage:
  • "Identity vs. role confusion," where individuals explore self-identity and peer groups become crucial.
• James Marcia's Identity Statuses:
  • Foreclosure: High commitment without exploration.
  • Identity Diffusion: Lack of exploration and commitment.
  • Moratorium: Active exploration with low commitment.
  • Identity Achievement: High exploration and commitment, leading to personal identity.
• Identity development is influenced by factors like religion, politics, work, and family.

Social Behavior and Peer Influence

• Adolescents may adopt behaviors to fit into peer groups, such as smoking in college.
• As identity solidifies, peer conformity decreases, aligning with personal values.

Moral Development

• Lawrence Kohlberg’s Levels of Moral Thinking:
  • Pre-conventional: Childhood phase, motivated by rewards and punishment.
  • Conventional: Early adolescence, driven by social approval and external authority.
  • Post-conventional: Later adolescence onward, guided by individual rights and moral principles.

Conclusion

• Understanding adolescent development is key to recognizing the physical, emotional, and social changes during this stage.
• Further discussions on morality and development continue in upcoming content.