Psych 133A Adolescent Development Questions & Answers

Psych 133A Adolescent Development Questions & Answers What is self- concept? Domains of self- concept? - ANSWER-Ability to assess one's traits and competencies across various domains. Different domains of self- concept: academic, physical, social, athletic What affects the instability of academic self- concept? - ANSWER-Transitions from elementary to middle school- children transition to a different grading system, different environment, different teachers. Transition again to high school; students are tracked and put with others like them When are gender and ethnicity most salient? - ANSWER-When they are mistreated because of group membership, in a minority Salience of gender identity, sexual identity, ethnic identity, interest- specific identities across development - ANSWER-- Gender identity: early & late childhood - Sexual identity: early/mid adolescence - Ethnic identity: early adolescence (earlier for ethnic minorities) Interest- specific: early adolescence Value x Competence = esteem (James) Factors that determine salience of identity - ANSWER-1) Value x Competence = esteem (james) 2) Feedback source: adult authority - peer approval (becomes more salient than the feedback from parents). i.e., sexual identity may be salient b/c it gains peer approval 3) Gender (girls may become feminists, boys might be pressured by homophobia or performance pressure) Why does low self- esteem not help explain aggressive behavior or dropping out? - ANSWER-- Determinants of self- esteem: perceived physical appearance, perceived physical ability. + whatever you think is really important, parental praise - What impacts your self esteem is what you care most about (if you don't care about school, you can be bad at school and dropout and still have a high self- esteem) - Aggressive behaviors in middle school fueled by the desire to be dominant and popular. Kids may gain self- esteem through dominance and popularity by bullying others Why should we care whether teens have friends or not? How are friendships related to other relationships during adolescence? - ANSWER-Friendships provide companionship, instrumental aid, emotional intimacy, opportunities to explore self. Mutual friendships correlated with less disruptive behavior, less victimization, greater school adjustment, greater support (look @ week 6 slide 13) Presence of a best friend during negative and positive experiences-- effects on cortisol levels and selfworth - ANSWER-When a friend is present, self- worth stays high during a negative experience, plummets if a friend if not with them. Cortisol levels are also lower when a friend is present during a negative experience, whereas cortisol levels increase if friend is on their own during a negative experience Who are likely to become, and stay friends? How does friendship stability change through development? What benefits are associated with diverse friends? - ANSWER-- Friendships begin through propinquity (proximity/availability) and homophily (similarity) - People with similar backgrounds, personalities, likes & dislikes are likely to stay friends - Childhood friendships are dependent on constancy in environment, early adolescent friendships have increased stability b/c of pubertal development & changes, mid- adolescence have increased stability b/c of selectivity; quality quantity - Staying friends depends on interactions; greater conflict + resolution How do romantic relationships develop between early and late adolescence? - ANSWER-Romantic relationships develop when kids are not in gender segregated groups; coming in contact with the opposite sex. 2 critical ingredients: 1) exposure to potential partners 2) social norms - In early adolescence, relationships are about "show", "coolness", not much psychological depth - In late adolescence, relationships substantially change; quality increases, relationships are sexually and psychologically intimate, romantic partners may be replacing best friends (males only) How is romantic involvement related to psychological wellbeing (and why) in adolescence - ANSWER-- Romantic involvement associated with increased conflict, increased depression (due to breakups), increased abuse. - 20 to 50% teens report psychological aggression - Early adolescence relationships develop because of social status and peer pressure; supportiveness increases by age) - There is a significant increase in externalizing behavior (underage drinking, skipping school, drugs, irritability) in 12-16 year old when highly involved in dating Liabilities of dating? - ANSWER-Liabilities: 1) Increased risk of interpersonal distress due to early relationships and conflictual relationships 2) increased risk of depression (among girls) due to frequency of breakups 3) Increased risk for physical and psychological violence (physical and psychological aggression commonfueled by jealousy) Benefits of romantic relationships - ANSWER-Supportiveness increase by age - By 10th grade, romantic partner second best to mom - By college, romantic partner best for males , females very supportive...