2. Role of the family
● Principle task of teenage development is
becoming independent of their families
● Difficulties:
○ Parents are reluctant to let teens go
○ Teens long to get out on their own
● Teens want freedom but fear failure, and as
a result often “rebel” against adults
3. Role of peers
-Teens use each other to define themselves
-High school is a tool that’s used for
socialization
4. Personality
-Studies have shown that personality is based
on good looks and athletic ability
-According to J.R. Harris “peer groups, not
parents, teach children how to behave in
the world”
-Parents just supply the environment in
which teens socialize in.
5. Cliques
-A clique is a group within a group
-Fulfills need for closeness/establishes
identity
-Helps achieve self-confidence
-Creates independence from family
6. Drawbacks of a clique
-Fears of being disliked
-Conformity is the “glue” that holds a peer
group together
-Alters good judgement
7. Parents influence on teens
-Shapes attitude
-influences school
-religion
-marriage
-And educational plans
-Adolescents accept parents’ beliefs
9. Difficulties During Adolescence cont.
There are many changes the adolescent must
cope with involving his or her mind, body,
emotions, and social relationships.
11. The Illusion of Invulnerability
“Others may get caught, but not me!”
-This is part of adolescent EGOCENTRISM
-The illusion may lead adolescents into
doing things with their peers they would
not do alone.
12. Acts of Juvenile Delinquency
-Running away from home, teen pregnancies,
alcohol and drug abuse, and
underachievement at school.
13. What events trigger depression in adolescents?
One major event is the loss of a loved one
through separation, family relocation, or
divorce.
grief, guilt, or panic
depression may result
14. Eating Disorders
● Anorexia Nervosa-refusal to eat and
excessive loss of weight
○ Anorexics have an intense fear of gaining weight
○ Psychologically teens either refuse to grow up or
attempt to control their lives
15. Eating Disorders cont.
● Bulimia Nervosa-binge eating followed by
purging
○ Bulimics suffer from depression, anxiety, and mood
swings
○ Psychologically teens seek approval from peers