BESC1120 Study Guide - Final Guide: Deeper Understanding, Vocational Education, Cyberbullying
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EXAM NOTES - Developmental Psychology
Chapter 11: Psychosocial development in adolescence
- Many of the developments of the adolescent time period are dramatic, with a suddenness that is
rarely seen in the more gradual advances of childhood.
- Makes adjustment more difficult than in earlier periods
- The physical, intellectual and emotional changes of adolescence have the potential to create
distress and crisis within the individual as well as conflict between them and those around them
- A difficult developmental time period of “storm and stress”
- Freud 1969 – adolescence is a period of intense psychosexual conflict and intrinsic developmental
disturbance
- Contemporary view – not automatically a time of ‘storm and stress’ of major upset in personality
development or in relationships --- rates of psychological disturbance only rise a little above rates
seen in middle childhood.
- Most adolescents throughout world adapt to the new changes in themselves in a healthy manner -
they cope with the changing demands and expectations of parents and society – displaying positive
self image and good emotional adjustment
- Now seen more as a period of “transition” rather than a fixed period of frustration and angst like
Freud said – transition of leaving childhood and entering adulthood
- Identity development and sexuality major task in this period
- Establish oneself as an autonomous individual
Identity development during adolescence:
Identity issues become critical
Questions of identity arise from cognitive changes, hormonal changes, awakening sexual interest,
normative societal expectations, vocational experiences….– “who am I” “where am I going” “where
do I belong” confront individuals for the first time
Developing a personal identity
Cognitive changes of formal operational thinking give teens new ability to critically consider their
existence / can evaluate the world around them in new ways
What ‘self’ means in relation to wider society and its values
Become able to view things from multiple perspectives and take on others pov
Evaluation of self in relation to society’s norms and according to how others might see them
Erikson’s Theory: The stage of Identity VS Role Confusion
Theory of psychosocial development – identity development
Identity diffusion = a state where individual has neither explored nor committed to an identity ;
failure to achieve a relatively coherent, integrated and stable identity.
Role confusion = a state of uncertainty in relation to personal identity
Crisis (normative challenge through which personal growth and development occurs) at each stage
– dilemma with 2 opposing outcomes
Stage 5 = Identity vs Role Confusion – individual must solve this normative crisis
Crisis resolved when achieve a reasonably coherent sense of self – an identity
Must least address, and hopefully solve each crisis at the psychosocial stage to move onto the next
Identity formation/development = lifelong process – continues to re-emerge in later years crisis
The process of identity formation:
Erikson says establishing personal identity is the major developmental task of adolescence and is
not an easy accomplishment
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Difficult to achieve – ever changing social demands and perspectives etc
Young people must examine in an ongoing way their beliefs about multiple aspects of life
Exploring domains of identity
Identity evaluation – comparison to other people, how are they unique
Period of identity formation during adolescence is a period of = psychological moratorium (a period
of developmental suspension between childhood security and adult responsibilities when young
people experiment with different roles and experiences. – eg. Taking a gap year to explore
possibilities – travel/different jobs etc
Individual Differences in identity development: Marcia’s identity status model
Individuals can be classified into 4 identity categories, each is called a ‘status’
Based on the presence or absence of an identity crisis and whether or not a commitment to an
occupational path and set of values/beliefs has been made
Each status is conceptualised as the result of an interaction of 2 different criteria from Erikson’s
Crisis (involves active exploration of identity alternatives) >>> commitment (outcome – a
psychological investment in a course of action)
Identity Achievement – The attainment of a coherent sense of self after a period of exploration
(crisis then commitment)
Identity Moratorium – active exploration of possible roles and different responsibilities without a
commitment to a definite identity (crisis exploring, not commitment yet) --- gap year example….
Time out to explore options and roles
Identity Foreclosure – commitment to an identity without prior exploration (not good – lower and
more problematic levels of identity development) – usually imposed on the individual by external
authority such as parents.. eg. Entering a certain religious order/ profession because of family
expectations
Identity Diffusion – (mentioned before) remain confused and uninterested - haven’t taken the steps
in the identity formation process… so this status lacks both crisis and commitment – “party
attitude” to life, not taking on responsibilities, academic study..etc.
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Document Summary
Many of the developments of the adolescent time period are dramatic, with a suddenness that is rarely seen in the more gradual advances of childhood. Makes adjustment more difficult than in earlier periods. The physical, intellectual and emotional changes of adolescence have the potential to create distress and crisis within the individual as well as conflict between them and those around them. A difficult developmental time period of storm and stress . Freud 1969 adolescence is a period of intense psychosexual conflict and intrinsic developmental disturbance. Contemporary view not automatically a time of storm and stress" of major upset in personality development or in relationships --- rates of psychological disturbance only rise a little above rates seen in middle childhood. Most adolescents throughout world adapt to the new changes in themselves in a healthy manner - they cope with the changing demands and expectations of parents and society displaying positive self image and good emotional adjustment.
