Adolescent Psychology

Chapter 1

Brief Outline of Chapter 1

Historical Perspective Today’s Adolescents The Nature of Development Understanding Adolscence Careers in Adolescent Development Summary

Historical Perspective

Early History

The 20th Century

Stereotyping adolscents

Early History

Plato thought young children should do sports and music while, at adolescence, study of science and math should proceed

Aristotle: self-determination occurs at adolescence; egocentrism

Middle ages children and adolescents as adults; short life span

Early History

Plato identified 3 aspects of human development: desire, spirit, and reason

Plato emphasized the onset of rational thought in adolescence requires a change in educational curriculum

Plato believed character should be developed during early childhood years

Early History

The debate about importance of early years in character building persists until even now

Aristotle argued adolescence was a time of learning to make choices; establishing self-determination and self-control

Importance of “natural consequences”

Early History

During middle ages children of all ages were treated with strict, harsh discipline

Children could be killed for stealing bread

There was no special status given to children or adolescents; all were adults

Lifespan was short/Black Plague years

Early History

During the 18th century the view of childhood and adolescence began to emerge with the French romanticist philosopher John Jaques Rousseau

Rousseau did more than any other to forward this “enlightened” view

Rousseau argued treating children as adults was harmful

Early History

Rousseau forwarded a view of “developmental stages”

Stage: Infancy - the first 4 or 5 years of the child’s life

Stage: Savage - between 5 to 12 years of age

Stage: Sage - between 12 to 15; self-consciousness, curiosity, exploration

Early History

Stage: Philosopher - age 15 to 20; emotional maturity; altruism, virtues and morals appear

Between 1790-1840 schools were more available but still not common; apprenticeships beginning at age 12

Some children left home at age 8 to become servants

Early History

1840-1900: economic gap between classes widened; an industrial revolution; children who were in school stayed longer and some pursued college

Delayed gratification became important; success = conformity became important social maxim.

The 20th Century and teens

Concept of adolescence emerged during 1890-1920– Industrial revolution– Establishment of labor unions– End of child labor– Increased education– Increased wealth– Decreased agrarian society/urbanization

The 20th Century

G. Stanley Hall wrote a book in 1904 in which the notion of adolescence was first extended

Hall had been influenced by Darwin and British evolutionary science and genetics studies

Hall concerned about influence of genetics and environment

The 20th Century

For Hall, adolescence was a logic outgrowth of both the changing socioeconomic conditions in industrialized society but also that of environment/heredity interactions in individuals.

Hall was influenced by the German romanticists in his thinking

The 20th Century

Hall’s view of adolescence was that of the “Sturm und Drang” (Goeth and Schiller: both German romanticists)

Concept was that adolescence was a turbulent time charged with emotional mood swings and conflict

Hall believed adolescence was a difficult, trying time for individuals

The 20th Century

Hall’s Strum-und-drang theory influenced his thinking

He believed that civility, scientific thinking, and morality should be taught intensively AFTER the age of 15

Hall began adolescent theorizing, systematizing, and science in the study of teenagers.

The 20th Century

G. Stanley Hall is a landmark figure in the history of adolescent psychology

Margaret Mead is another individual that has had influence in the development of the science of study of adolescents.

Mead’s Sociocultural view of adolescence

The 20th Century

Margaret Mead concluded the nature of adolescence is not biological but is, rather, sociocultural

Mead said culture provides a smooth transition from childhood to adulthood

She argued adolescence was a time of practicing adulthood without having major consequences

The 20th Century

Mead argued that in cultures where teens are not allowed to practice being adults and/or where they are punished then the child is under stress

Her work was based on field studies in American Somoa.

In 1983 her works were severely criticized

The 20th Century

Controversy exists as to the effect of culture on adolescent stress.

The Bible says, “train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it”

It also says, “Spare the rod and spoil the child”

What is the influence of culture?

The 20th Century

During the early 20th century the views of states, nations, systems, and their structures as relating to influence on populations was considered; the development of sociology in the 20th century.

“Adolescence” first really began to emerge in the 1920s

The 20th Century

Think of the American “roaring 20s” Crowd-mentality; emergence of conflicts

between peer pressure and societal norms

The “Great Depression”; political activism

In the 1940s teens went to war

The 20th Century

1950s: The “silent generation” of adolescents… notable exceptions, James Dean

1960s: The Woodstock/Free love generation

1970s: The drug rebellion generation “everybody must get stoned.”

1980s: Material-girl generation

The 20th Century

1990s: Generation X? (What does this mean?)

2000s: Politically correct, working 2 jobs, flirting with the 1970s hippie appearance… but exceptionally concerned about status, clothing, and materialistic things.

What are today’s teenagers?

Stereotyping Adolescents

What is a stereotype? What are some stereotypes concerning

modern American teens?

Adelson rightly indicates that it is dangerous to make generalizations about teens; all are different

Stereotyping Adolescents

Stereotypes are premised on a very small, perhaps non-representative, sample.

Yankelovich found in his research that teens subscribe to parents beliefs with the possible exception of religious beliefs. Do you believe this?

Stereotyping Adolescents

Offer opined that the “Sturm-und-drang” of adolescence is not true; most teens are doing “just fine” and moving toward productive adult lives

How does the media portray teens? Leave it to Beaver or 90210?

Today’s Adolescents

Current Status of Teens

Demands, expectations, risks, and temptations are greater now than ever before

American teens are, generally, doing a good job of dealing with all these new stresses

Stereotyping Adolescents

Think of teens this way…

Adultoids Norms Advanc

Today’s Adolescents

Shirley Feldman and Glenn Elliot conclude today’s teens are sent mixed messages by our culture– autonomy vs immaturity– sexually active vs chastity– no smoking, no drinking… go to war and kill

people– get a good education but make millions

playing basketball

Today’s Adolescents

What is the truth for American adolescents? What is the chaff?

Clearly teens are exposed to all kinds of conflicting information:– church vs heavy metal satanic rock– AIDS will kill you: “Babe Watch” (Bay

watch)– What’s a cult? What’s occult?

Models of Adolescence

Clearly no one single model can account for a complete developmental explanation for all teens– single development models are too narrow– a good development model (one you

create yourself for yourself) is usually an ecclectic approach.

– Take the best ideas from everyone

Models of Adolescence

Some theories of development include Urie Bronfenbrenner’s systems approach– microsystem– mesosystem– macrosystem– boundaries between these systems– systems influence teens

Models of Adolescence

Cross-cultural studies– to what extent are teens influenced by their

culture?– Are teens different in different cultures of

the world? Nature vs Nurture? Which one is more

important?

Social policies and teen development How does a society treat its teens? Minimum wage? Drinking laws? Military conscription? Who pays for social security? Who will

get social security? Short and long term social policy

The Nature of Development

Development: pattern of change that begins at conception and continues throughout the life span

Development: biological development, cognitive development, and socioemotional development

Periods of development?

Development

Can you explain when adolescence begins and when does it end?

Is it possible to be 26 and still be a teenager?

Careers– List of carrer opportunities in adolescent

development– what education is required?