This document discusses several topics related to social and personality development in adolescence including identity formation, self-concept, relationships with peers and family, sexuality, dating, and risk-taking behaviors. Key aspects addressed are Erikson's psychosocial stages of identity vs role confusion, influences on self-esteem, types of peer groups, causes of juvenile delinquency, trends in adolescent sexual behavior, factors affecting teen pregnancy rates, and sexual orientation identity development.

1. Chapter 10
Social and Personality
Development in
Adolescence
12-1

2. Self Concept and Self Esteem
What am I like?
How do I like myself?
Identity and self-expression?
Risk taking? Rebellion?
12-2

3. Self-esteem is influenced by:
Gender
SES
Race
Ethnogender
12-3

4. Erikson
Identity formation: Crisis or change?
Identity vs role (identity) confusion
Psychological difficulties in search for identity =
“the adolescent identity crisis” [Next]
Westernized teens seek:
•Individualism
•Independence
•Autonomy
12-4

5. Crisis
Commitment
12-5

6. D. James Marcia
Four categories
Either a Crisis (exploration) or a Commitment (decision)
12-6

7. E. Identity, Race & Ethnicity
Cultural assimilation model: identities
should be assimilated; “melting pot”
Pluralistic society model: diverse, coequal
cultural groups; “tossed salad”
Bicultural identity: can draw from own
culture and integrate into dominant
•Stress related to:
–Language
–Support network
–Family obligations (work)
–Change in SES
–Acculturation
12-7

8. The Generation Gap
“Generation Gap” is largely a myth.
E.g., on social, political, and religious issues.
The difference in values between teens is greater
w/parents.
Most parents and teens get along well.
Conduct more than values
Most teenagers have stable family relationships; ~20
percent have a rough time.
12-8

9. Nevertheless, an adolescent’s push for autonomy
and responsibility puzzles and angers many
parents
What to do as the adolescent pushes for
autonomy?
< “Storm and stress”
< Supportive; moderate conflict can serve dev’l need
12-9

10. Relationships with Peers
Friends often shape well-being
Reference group
12-10

11. Cliques and Crowds
Stereotypes ?
Cliques > [text] ~2 to 12 people;
frequent interaction; usu same sex
• Crowds > larger groups share some
characteristics; less personal; based
on reputation.
• Strong expectations that people in a
particular crowd behave in specific
ways. (A self-fulfilling prophecy?)
• Less impt by end of adolescence
12-11

12. Juvenile Delinquency: The Crimes of Adolescence
• Undersocialized Delinquents
– Family discord; inconsistent discipline
– Relatively aggressive and violent early in life
– Rejected status
– Higher incidence of ADHD
– Usually less intelligent than average
– High recidivism
• Socialized Delinquents
– Influenced by group
– Criminal behavior more often committed with group
– Crimes comparatively minor
3:1 male:female in juvie courts
12-12

13. Dating, Sexual Behavior, and Teen Pregnancy
• Dating
– Age?
– How much freedom?
– Roles (I.D.)?
• What is “hooking up?”
 Those who date are more likely to be:
 accepted by peers
 perceived as more physically attractive
 Early dating and hooking up is associated with adolescent
pregnancy and problems at home and school
12-13

14. Adolescent Sexuality
• Curiosity, exploration; experimentation
• Media influence?
• Tied to ID
• Skills to avoid undesirable consequences
• Gender/orientation
• Developing new forms of intimacy
12-14

15. Dating, Sexual Behavior, and Teen Pregnancy
What is Sex?
12-15

16. Timing of Adolescent
Sexuality
 How do you know if ready?
Early sexual activity > linked
with risky behaviors: drug use,
delinquency, school problems
Low parental monitoring >
linked with early sex, more
partners, less condom use
Oral sex > heavier drinkers,
perception of peer approval;
often recreational
12-16

17. Sexual Intercourse
% who have had sexual intercourse at different ages12-17

18. Sex
• Intercourse
– Ages for sexual intercourse have been declining.
– ~20% have had sex before the age of 15, 80 percent at 21.
– Numbers postponing sex is rising.
• “Outercourse”
• Oral Sex
– Increase in last 10-15 yrs
– Is it sex? Still virgin?
– Perception that it is likely to be safer
12-18

19. Contraception
12-19

20. Teen Pregnancy
• Teen pregnancy rate is declining
across all ethnic groups in U.S.
[next].
• Still higher in U.S. than in other
industrialized countries.
• Teenage mothers do not fare well:
– Poor health
• Increased neurological problems,
childhood illness; low birth wt.
– Poor school performance
– Cycle of poverty
12-20

21. Teen Pregnancy
(Per 100,000) 12-21

22. Teen Pregnancy
• Key factors in preventing/breaking the poverty-pregnancy
cycle are:
– Completing high school
– Postponing future births
– Education
– Supportive family
12-22

23. Sexual Orientation
• Same-sex encounters:
• Females: 11% of 18 - 44 in 2005; 4% 18 - 59 in 1994)
• Males: 6% of those less than 30
• Far fewer numbers become exclusive; 1 to 4 percent.
12-23